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Rebekah McCloy

Dr. Ian Nolte

ENG 419

1 April 2020

Literacy Philosophy

Literacy is, on a basic level, an aptitude towards writing and reading, but it is also much

more than that. Literacy is the ownership and command of knowledge and information. It is the

possession of the information necessary for success in and the manner in which one relates to

their field of expertise. Proper literacy in a chosen field is essential, for it commands how much

understanding and insight we have in that area.

My chosen field of study is English education. In order to be literate in this field it is

important to have read a plethora of literary works in multiple genres and types. Literacy in this

field requires experience with and the study of the works of Shakespeare. It demands

involvement and familiarity with poetry, short stories, and novels. Literacy in this field also

demands the study of other teachers and their experiences in the field. The ability to learn

valuable lessons in teaching from scholars and other teachers is indispensable. We teachers in

training are far from knowing everything about English education, particularly when it comes to

such a difficult subject as Shakespeare. That is why it is so important to read about the

experiences that other teachers have had in that area. Reading books by Mary Ellen Dakin, Kelly

Gallagher, and Nancie Atwell help show us how to teach English classes, and therefore are

stepping stones on the way to becoming literate in our fields. These authors and teachers convey

the importance of preventing “readicide” in the classroom, of using interesting activities that
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keep students interested, and how to teach Shakespeare in a way that students will understand.

The experiences of other teachers, such as the ones mentioned above, are so beneficial to the

students aspiring to be teachers, as they teach so many important lessons that help prepare us to

be the best English teachers that we can be.

When teaching, giving students the tools necessary to become literate in English

Language Arts is vital. After all, that is what teachers are being paid to do. In order to make

students literate in the field of English, it is imperative that students are given the opportunity to

read and write, not only in an academic sense, but also, upon occasion, in a fun, creative sense.

In other words, students do not need to read Shakespeare and other classics all the time in

English class, for by doing that students may lose interest. Yes, the classics are important and

should be taught, but it is also important to supplement them with more modern texts that

translate the same message and meaning. Students need to be remain engaged with the subject.

Additionally, students, from time to time, should be given opportunities to read books of interest

to them that they pick out. They should also be given opportunities to write creative short stories

or poems upon occasion. Research papers are vital to literacy in English Language Arts, but so

are creative works.

Part of the goal in having students sometimes read literature that interests them while also

brings home the ideas and themes presented in classic texts is that they will get to where they

want to read on their own for fun. It is a stepping stone in the journey to becoming literate in the

subject. At the same time, while it is important for students to read more modern texts, it is also

vital that they are taught about Julius Caesar, Great Expectations, and other classic texts. As the

teacher, in order to help students in their journeys to becoming literate in English, students need

to be reading and writing, but they must also remain engaged in the subject. The eventual hope
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and goal is that students will leave your classroom with a desire to continue reading, writing, and

learning for the remainder of their lives. That is why students should be reading scholarly texts,

classic texts, and modern texts that present the same ideas in a manner that is more relatable to

the students.