Conversation 1 by Sullivan

literacy is the way that we interact with the world around us, how we shape it and are shaped by it. It is how we communicate with others via reading and writing, but also by speaking, listening, and creating. It is how we articulate our experience in the world and declare. Based on what I know and my own understanding, literacy is the ability to read, write, speak and listen in a way that lets us communicate effectively and make sense of the world. These skills allow us to express ourselves clearly, listen to others, gain knowledge and build an understanding of the world around us. When I was doing the research I understood that beyond its conventional concept as a set of reading, writing and counting skills, literacy is now understood as a means of identification, understanding, interpretation, creation, and communication in an increasingly digital, text mediated, information rich and fast changing world. According to John Trischitti definition “literacy as basic inability to understand or produce written information”. John Trischitti believes that literacy is important because it improves quality of life. Literacy can build self-esteem and help people express themselves. People who struggle with literacy may have difficulty expressing themselves, which can lead to anxiety and depression. And I agree with him because literacy empowers and liberates people. Beyond its importance as part of the right to education, literacy improves lives by expanding capabilities which in turn reduces poverty, increases participation in the labor market and has positive effects on health and sustainable development.