How important are good literacy skills?
How important are good literacy skills?
Literacy and numeracy skills are part of everyday life. Think of all the notices and signs around us, how we use money every day, use the internet and send text messages. Everywhere we go we are faced with text, numbers and technology.
Literacy has an important role for the individual, the worker, the family member and the citizen. Most people have some literacy and numeracy skills, but they can vary in different situations. For example, a person might have high levels of literacy in completing a form but low levels of literacy when figuring out the instructions for using the DVD player.
Those with significant literacy difficulties are likely to have difficulty carrying out day-to-day talks that involve literacy. These might include:
- writing a shopping list,
- reading a health and safety notice, or
- filling in a driving licence application form.
NALA's view is that while literacy is clearly linked to economic development and employment, it must not be limited to issues of economics. Literacy is deeply connected with the rights of individuals and communities: it is about their right to have a voice in society; to continue and extend their education; to read and to be read.
