English class is all about literacy. The National Council of Teachers of English considers literacy to be "the ability to use language to read, write, listen, and speak" (NCTE.org). Literacy is the set of skills that we need to communicate effectively in today's world.
Today's world requires different skills in literacy than we needed years ago.
In the 1800's, literacy meant being able to read the deed to one's house or to read and write letters.
In the 1900's, literacy meant being able to read newspapers, magazines, and novels. It meant being able to read the help wanted section and apply for jobs.
Today's literacy is a much different thing. Technology is changing our world in a drastic way. My English class tries to focus on modern usages of our basic skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening). My class incorporates modern components of literacy, such as film, television commercials, and graphic novels.
I try to focus on the skills you need to communicate in the world. In the real world, nobody's going to care if you know who wrote The Odyssey (Homer) or in what meter Shakespeare wrote his plays (iambic pentameter). In the real world, people will care if you can read, write, and communicate well.
A final word: I am currently struggling with learning Spanish, my third language, so I expect no complaints from you as you master English!
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This is the blog for the English classes of Marc Graci. Here, students will be able to check daily assignments as well as post work.
