English

What is Literacy?

Literacy is about more than reading or writing – it is about how we communicate in society. It is about social practices and relationships, especially:

• knowledge
• language
• culture

Those who use literacy take it for granted – but those who cannot use it are excluded from much communication in today’s world.

The English Curriculum

The English curriculum is dedicated to developing knowledge in four key areas of literacy:

• listening and speaking
• reading
• writing
• presenting 

What We Achieve

Successful language learners:

• understand that language learning is a necessary, life-enhancing, reflective process
• communicate – that is, read, listen, view, speak, write, and represent – effectively and with confidence
• make meaningful connections between themselves, what they encounter in texts and the world around them
• think critically
• understand that all texts advance a particular point of view that must be recognized, questioned, assessed, and evaluated; appreciate the cultural impact and aesthetic power of texts
• use language to interact and connect with individuals and communities, for personal growth, and for active participation as world citizens 

Language skills are lifelong learning skills; they enable you to better understand yourself and others, unlock your potential as a human being, find a fulfilling career, and become a responsible world citizen. 

*Adapted from The Ontario Ministry of Education: English Curriculum