Tr a d i t i o n a l

Lite r a c y
REY JOHN B. REBUCAS,

LPT, MAEE
 INTRODUCTION
Literacy is defines by dictionaries as the state of being
able to read and write (Literacy, Literate, n.d.). The word
“literacy’’ stems form the word ‘literate”, which first
appeared in the 15th century and is in turn from the Latin
word, literatus, meaning “a person marked with letters”,
that is, “distinguished or identified by letters” and it carried
with it the idea that such a person was cultured and
educated.
 LESSONS

01 02
Conventional Expanded
Literacy Views of
Literacy
 TRADITIONAL/
CONVENTIONAL
LITERACY
 INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

Describe conventional or traditional literacy;

Identify the components of conventional
literacy; and
Recognize the three (3) sub-categories of the
conventional concept of literacy by Miller
(1997).
 Conventional or traditional literacy refers to the
ability to read, write, and understand written texts using
the standard conventions of language, which include
spelling, grammar, syntax, and punctuation. It
emphasizes the core skills needed to comprehend and
produce written communication in a given language.
Traditional literacy is often seen as a foundation for
participating effectively in society, education, and the
workforce.
 Key components of conventional literacy
include:

1. Reading-The ability to decode written

symbols (letters and words), comprehend their
meaning, and interpret written content.

2. Writing-The ability to express thoughts,

ideas, and information clearly and coherently
through written language, adhering to rules of
grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.
 Key components of conventional literacy
include:

3. Spelling and Grammar-Knowledge of

correct spelling and grammatical rules, which
are necessary for clear and accurate written
communication.

4. Vocabulary-Understanding and using a wide

range of words effectively in both reading and
writing.
 Key components of conventional literacy
include:

5. Fluency-The ability to read smoothly and

with understanding, as well as to write
efficiently with proper organization.
In traditional literacy, the focus is on
mastering these skills within the context of
printed or written language, typically taught in
early education and reinforced throughout life in
formal and informal settings.
 Miller (1973) divides this conventional concept
of literacy into three (3) sub-categories:

1. Basic Literacy- It is the ability to correspond

visual shapes to spoken sounds in order to decode
written materials and translate them into oral
language. Simply, it is the ability to recognize
letters and words. This would be akin to recognizing
that the sequence of letters “b-a-s-a” form the
word /basa/ in Filipino, even without understanding
what it means.
 Miller (1973) divides this conventional concept
of literacy into three (3) sub-categories:

2. Comprehension Literacy- It is the ability to

understand the meaning of what is being read. To
capitalize on the example above, this would be like
knowing that /basa/ can mean either “to read” or
“to wet”.
 Miller (1973) divides this conventional concept
of literacy into three (3) sub-categories:

3. Functional or Practical Literacy- It is the

ability to read (i.e., decode and comprehend)
written materials needed to perform everyday
vocational tasks. This is the equivalent of reading
the text “Ang bata ay nagbabasa.” and being able
to understand that /basa/ here refers to reading
and not to being wet.
 Based on this conventional view of literacy,
the two (2) things for reading (and therefore
literacy) to exist:

1) A text (consisting of symbols and grammar)

to be read; and
2) A meaning or message being communicated
by the text for the reader to extract.
EXPANDED VIEWS
OF
LITERACY
 INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

Discuss the shift from traditional literacy to 21 st

century literacies; and
Explain the expanded views of literacy in the
21st century.
Roberts (1995) In the past fifty years, hundreds of definitions of ‘literacy’
have been advanced by scholars, adult literacy workers,
and program planners/
UNESCO (2004) Literacy involves a continuum of learning in enabling
individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their
knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their
community and wider society.
UNESCO (2006) Literacy as a concept has proven to be complex and
dynamic, it being continually defined and interpreted in
multiple ways.
Simooya-Mudenda & Modern views appear to equate literacy with
Cheelo (2017) knowledge--”new” literacies of the 21st century.
Mkandawire (2018) Literacy is a form of knowledge, competence, and skills in
a particular field of area.
 Expanded views of literacy in the 21st
century include a wider range of communication
skills, cultural awareness, and the ability to
critically analyze information.
These new literacies have emerged from the
increased reach, means of communication, and
breadth of content in the digital age.
 EXPANDED VIEWS OF LITERACY
 The ability to use, understand, and engage with all
forms of communication.
 The ability to identify, understand, interpret, create,
communicate, and compute using various materials
and contexts.
 The ability to critically analyze information from a
variety of online sources
 EXPANDED VIEWS OF LITERACY
 The ability to recognize, interpret, comprehend,
and appreciate languages and cultures in
different forms.

 New literacies globalization and multicultural

literacy, social and financial literacy, media and
cyber/digital literacy, and ecological literacy.
 The shift from traditional literacy to 21st-
century literacies reflects the evolving nature of
communication, technology, and societal needs.
Traditional literacy, primarily concerned with
reading and writing printed texts, has expanded to
encompass a broad range of skills necessary to
navigate the complexities of a highly interconnected,
information-driven, and digital world.
 THE EXPANDED VIEW OF LITERACY: THE
TRANSITION TO 21ST CENTURY LITERACIES

 The transition from traditional literacy to 21st-century

literacies marks the inclusion of a variety of skills
beyond reading and writing that are critical in the
modern, information-rich, and media-saturated world.
This transformation recognizes the importance of
critical thinking, digital tools, and collaborative
communication in the knowledge economy.
 THE SHIFT FROM TRADITIONAL LITERACY TO 21ST
CENTURY LITERACIES

 Traditional Literacy (Reading, Writing, and Basic

Numeracy) focused primarily on printed texts, linear
reading, and basic language conventions. It was more
individualistic and often passive.
 21st-Century Literacies emphasize critical thinking,
digital tools, media analysis, collaboration, and global
awareness. These literacies are dynamic, interactive, and
highly dependent on technology and communication in a
globalized, media-saturated environment.
Th a n k
y o u !