Literacies: Theories, Approaches, Social Issues, and Functions

This report examines various theories of literacy, including Family Literacy Theory, Maturation Theory, Emergent Literacy Theory, Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development, and Stage Models of Reading, and Theory of Literacy Development, offering insights into how individuals perceive and acquire literacy skills. It explores critical discourse analysis as a key approach to understanding language use within social contexts, drawing upon poststructuralist discourse theory and linguistics. The report further discusses the functions of literacy within communities, encompassing human, political, and cultural aspects, as well as the social and economic benefits. It also includes a case study on the Latina community and their experiences with literacy, highlighting social issues such as health, education, gender equality and the impact of literacy on these facets. The report references multiple sources to support its analysis.

Running head: LITERACIES 1
Literacies
Name
Institution

LITERACIES 2
Literacies
Theory refers to a notion that references the reality for purposes of explaining a particular
situation. There are many methods that play a significant role in the way individuals perceive
literacy. These theories of literacy include Family Literacy Theory, Maturation Theory,
Emergent Literacy Theory, Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development among others such as
Stage Models of Reading and Theory of Literacy Development (Godwin, Herb, Ricketts &
Wymer, 2013).
Notes for slide 3
The Family Literacy Theory focuses on several ideas that are distributed by
researchers. The primary purpose of this approach is that it concentrates on the design,
evaluation and implementation of certain aspects that contribute to the development of literacy
among members of a family (Lilly & Green, 2004). The main purpose of this theory is to
emphasize on the significance of student achievement through family involvement. Further, the
approach focuses on the relationship between the parents and teachers in share information on
literacy both in school and home. It also focuses on creating awareness to the parents about
learning environment that contributes to the success of the student (Li, 2010).
Notes for slide 3
Maturation Theory suggests that parents and teachers do not necessarily have to force
children into reading and emphasize that the will do so whenever they are ready. It is only when
the children are old enough to take instruction is when they can be taught how to read.

LITERACIES 3
Notes for slide 4
Emergent Literacy theory tends to suggest that the knowledge that children acquire
before they are enrolled in school plays a significant role in helping the children to learn how to
read and write. Scholars say that this theory begins to apply immediately after a child is born.
Notes for slide 4
Piaget’s theory of Cognitive Development implies that there are distinct stages which
are responsible for particular behavior in a child. These activities play a crucial role in helping
the teachers to understand the needs of an individual child. Further, the theory insinuates that
these activities are classified under four stages namely; sensorimotor stage, Preoperational stage,
concrete operational and formal operational.
Notes for slide 5
According to Stages Model of Reading, scholars believe that children’s ability to read is
focused on keyword identification which then helps them to develop strategies to make reading
easy. The word identification stage comprises of four stages which include; Pre-Alphabetic
Stage, Partial Alphabetic Stage, Full Alphabetic Stage and Consolidated Alphabetic Stage
(Wang, 2017).
Notes for slide 5
Lastly, the theory of Literacy Development suggests that the process of reading falls
under natural development that is facilitated by Oral language skills. This theory has four
elements that create meaning in the learning process. The four elements include Observation,
Collaboration, Practice and Performance.

LITERACIES 4
Notes for slide 6
There are some approaches to literacy that influence the learning outcomes of children.
For instance, critical discourse analysis is one of the strategies that facilitate the study of
language and facilitates discussions in social scenarios. This approach borrows from
poststructuralist discourse theory as well as linguistics. The method is based relationship within
the society through language and writing. The advancement in new sociology is significant in the
application of western philosophy that helps in addressing educational theory and problems. The
poststructuralist discourse theory evaluates how discussions, writing and texts play a critical role
in various situations. The theory is crucial in the identification of certain patterns among the
people. This approach focuses on whether there exist individuals that are independent of cultural
approaches that facilitate learning and reading.
The education application of this theory suggests that social science played a significant
role in influencing the direction of research on education. Further, the theory focuses on family
approaches and methods that are used in the study of language as well as texts from literary
theories, linguistic and the philosophy of language and sociology. This approach was applied
after the world war to examine the semantic structures in a sentence. The theory helped the
educators to detect a semantic error in a series of second language learners (Hull & Hernandez,
2008).
Critical discourse analysis is a theory that is used to analyze the methods for evaluating
texts, language use as well as cultural practices. This aspect is made up of other perspectives
such as post-structuralism which focuses on institutions and other elements that contribute to a
person’s actions (Corson, 1995). The critical analysis also borrows from Bourdieu’s sociology

LITERACIES 5
which suggests that textual aspects are related to a culture which creates value in the society.
Besides, this discussion analysis is based on the neo-Marxist cultural theory that suggests that
linguistic studies are as a result of interaction within the political communities (Apple, 1996).
Notes for slide 7 and 8
Literacy plays a fundamental role in different communities because it is a right that is
necessary to facilitate education. To understand the function of literacy, one must be able to
recognize the need for it to individuals, families, society and the nation. One key function of
literacy among different communities is that it plays a significant role in the decision-making
process, personal empowerment as well as active participation in the society. Further, functions
of literacy can be categorized into human functions, political functions and cultural functions.
Human functions of literacy comprise of several factors such as self-esteem, creativity, critical
reflection and empowerment. When it comes to political benefits of literacy, we focus on factors
such as political participation. This implies that educated people can contribute to their well-
being through voting or voice their concerns that are related to their democratic rights. Right to
literacy contributes to growth in democracy as well as education. Lastly, the functions of literacy
in cultural benefits include cultural change and preservation of cultural diversity. Additionally,
Literacy contributes to social benefits within a given community through improvement of health,
education, reproductive behavior and gender equality. There are economic benefits of literacy
which plays an impact on the economic growth and return to investments.
Notes for slide 9 ( Traditional students)
In a study conducted on Latina community, college on literacy and achievement indicate
that the Latinas are strategically placed in families, communities and school for purposes of

LITERACIES 6
reducing language barriers to achieve their academic objectives. The data from this research
shows intersection in ideologies, attitudes and strategies that Latina women use to accomplish
their academic objectives (Lynn, 2017). These women have to negotiate through racial language
as well as their history of literacy ideologies to participate in education in California The racial
profiling they receive exposes them to marginalization that limits their educational achievement.
The women lack the skill to help them with the intersection of language and knowledge from
educators.
Notes for slide 10
Social issues related to literacy include health where infant mortality is reduced in
mothers who are literate as opposed to parents who are illiterate. Also, education is important
which can be attested by the fact that parents who are educated are likely to take their children to
schools as opposed to those parents that never attended school or any adult program. Besides,
abstract reasoning is an aspect of formal schooling, cultural practices as well as socialization (Li,
2003). Social literacy plays a significant role in improving gender equality as studies show that
majority of literacy programs are targeting women which implies that this move intended on
improving inequality among women as opposed to gender equality. The level of literacy is
significant in a social setting as it relates to how well participants in a particular community can
actively engage in new ideas and practices within the society (Piller, 2016). The recognition of
the intersection of social, cultural, economic and political benefits of literacy helps to create a
better environment for everybody.

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References
Apple M W (1996) Cultural Politics in Education, Teachers College Press, New York
Corson D (ed.) (1995) Discourse and Power in Educational Organizations, Hampton Press,
Creskill, New Jersey
Godwin, E., Herb, B., Ricketts, A. & Wymer, S. (2013). Theories of Literacy Development
1930s – Present Day. Available at http//:hillerspires.wikispaces.com/file/view/Theories%
Hull, G. A., & Hernandez, G. (2008). Literacy. In B. Spolsky, et al. (Eds.), The Handbook of
Educational Linguistics (pp. 328-340). Malden, MA and Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
Li, G. (2003). Literacy, Culture, and Politics of Schooling: Counter narratives of a Chinese
Canadian Family. Anthropology & Education Quarterly, 34(2), 182-204.
Li, G. (2010). Race, Class, and Schooling: Multicultural Families Doing the Hard Work of Home
Literacy in America's Inner City. Reading & Writing Quarterly, 26(2), 140-165.
Lilly, E. & Green, C. (2004). Developing Partnerships with Families through Children’s
Literature. Boston: Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall
Lynn, Morgan, (2017). "Latina Identities, Critical Literacies, and Academic Achievement in
Community College" Doctoral Dissertations. 923.
<http://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_2/923>
Piller, I. (2016). Linguistic Diversity in Education. Linguistic Diversity and Social Justice: An
Introduction to Applied Sociolinguistics (pp. 98-129). New York: Oxford University
Press.

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Wang, X. (2017). Transnational Chinese Students’ Literacy and Networking Practices. Journal
of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 60(6), 687-696.