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Literacy Is The Foundation Of Every Student 's Learning Essay

Decent Essays

Importance of Literacy

Literacy is the foundation of every student’s learning, and learning to read English is a particularly challenging task. The OECD Programme for International Assessment of Adult Competencies defines literacy as: the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute, using printed and written materials associated with varying contexts. 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 (as cited in Kennedy, Dunphy, Dwyer, Hayes, Mc Phillips, Marsh, O’Connor, & Shiel, 2012, p. 40).
Additionally, The OECD report (1996) highlighted the role of literacy in promoting competitiveness and employment, democracy and social cohesion, and addressing poverty (as cited in The National Literacy Strategy for all in Malta and Gozo, 2014). However, many research conducted in countries have shown that literacy levels are below the normal rate. Research conducted by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has found that more than 74% of children who enter first grade at risk for reading failure will continue to struggle to read into adulthood. Progress in International Reading Literacy Study shows that children from a low socioeconomic status and migration backgrounds are the biggest group among poor readers (as cited in The

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