Abstract:

In the past, people were called literate or illiterate depending on whether they could or could not write their own names. Today the word “literate” or “literacy” means a lot more than this. What is meant by literacy education (or teaching literacy) has also changed over time and means different things depending on who is doing or organizing the teaching of a literacy programme, and who the learners are. Trainers in literacy for indigenous peoples can benefit from knowing how others have thought about literacy and literacy education. In this chapter, we explore some of the many definitions of literacy and literacy education.