Literacy is More Than Reading

Important to literacy is maintaining the proficiency of in terms of the context it is used. American's have a broad need for literacy in the situations they are involved. This need complicates itself through continual change for the many positions Americans find themselves included. Hopefully, adults begin as children with emerging literacy and adapt this knowledge to functional, workplace, and content literacy. Functional, workplace, and content literacy each is valuable. First, as emergent literacy, the beginning of reading sounds, words, sentences, and stories becomes realized, functional literacy hopefully takes shape. The need to not only read and write but to perform tasks necessary for survival and fulfillment require additional development. Along with the former two, workplace literacy calls for careful implementation of specific skills to fulfill a designated job. Workplace literacy parallels itself with content literacy. Both of these, merge together creating skills necessary to carry out the specific areas called for success.

We can also think of emergent literacy in other facets of content and workplace literacy. In order to master all the pivotal fluent reading, the emergence of each can continually occur to bring the concepts to reality. Content literacy and workplace literacy continually emerges beyond letters, sounds, words and the like. To become fluent, continual materialization of each area needs to actualize. Equally important to reading in these areas is writing. Americans need to be able to emerge as functional writers, with the attributes necessary for the workplace. They also need to experience the creative side to writing. This allows for a greater use of literacy to bring about lifelong learning through reading and writing. Literacy development can establish itself not only for continued existence, but for pleasure as well.

We just write and read for different purposes. Our work related readings and writings are much different than our personal. Considering this we must set parameters for each. What is important for the content of reading and writing in the workplace might be relaxed outside the office. Being able to adapt to all environments of literacy and engage in meaningful representation is a process in action. Knowing there is a difference helps in getting there. The rest is left to careful consideration and continued growth as a person and employee. Technological literacy will require a bit more in terms of understanding. Feeling the success in all forms of literacy, however, is invaluable. Not only are the gains high for the situations they occur, but there is an elevation of self worth. Being able to adequately handle literacy in all areas is a life long process.