New Literacy Studies

New Literacy Studies (NLS) refers to an approach to literacy and literacy education underpinned by three central ideas. First, literacy is seen as a communicative tool, with the emphasis firmly placed on its intersubjective aspects. In other words, the starting point for analysis is the way humans use texts to symbolize and transmit information to each other. Second, literacy develops to meet social needs, and this is true for literacy across societies and for individuals. When there is a task for which text use is necessary or desirable, then literacy strategies will develop. Third, and arising from these first two points, it may make more sense to talk about multiple “literacies” than a singular “literacy.” Taken together, these ideas have significant implications for the teaching ...