The concept of literacy - Essay Example

ng it literally and directly applying it as suggested by the text but literacy is about understanding and expanding information beyond the boundaries of its connotations. Indeed, a person may be able read texts but may not be capable of making sense of the text. For instance, an Asian student may be able to read out loud English documents but is inadequate in terms of interpreting the meaning of the words. The student is therefore illiterate of the English language although his literacy is not limited to the language itself because literacy involves other aspects as well such as information and its application in real life situations.

It is thus my discourse that literacy is not limited to an individual’s capability to read, write and interpret reading materials but it also incorporates understanding, analyzing and applying them in order to improve lives and benefit one’s self and other people in the different aspects of life. With the rise of the number of students going to college regardless of their learning abilities, it could be said that education is overrated. Education is often associated with literacy however it is not necessarily true that an educated person is a literate individual.

Instead, one’s literacy is determined not by his diplomas and schools attended but how he is able to put to use the education he has acquired. In the previous example, the Asian student cannot be completely defined as literate or illiterate. His ability to read aloud English texts does not show his literacy but his inability to understand the readings also does not say everything about his illiteracy. This is because even though the student may not be able to understand the context of the materials written in English but if he comprehends it when it is written in his own language, then there is a big difference.

Literacy is not simply about understanding a certain discourse but it is also being able to think independently to decide whether one agrees, disagrees or has