How schools teach literacy

The word ‘literacy’ means different things depending on who is using it. Literacy refers to a wide range of skills and knowledge that allow the literate person to communicate, learn and take part in society.

Literacy in the early years

Literacy means the teaching and learning of:

oral language
reading and
writing.

Each of these aspects of literacy involves different skills and knowledge.

In the early years, oral language, reading and writing are taught both separately and together. Sometimes there are formal lessons that can be easily recognised as literacy learning.

At other times, literacy skills and knowledge are incorporated into games, singing and play activities. Students may not recognise these as literacy learning but they all play an important part in teaching the skills and knowledge needed to become literate.

The learning that occurs in other subject areas such as mathematics and science also includes aspects of literacy instruction that are specific to those subjects.