Literacy Strategies

Literacy strategies are the methods that learners use to help them read, write and spell effectively.  Learners with low first language literacy skills are learning these strategies for the first time.

In effective ESL literacy programs, literacy strategies are taught and practiced explicitly. The development of reading, writing and spelling strategies allows learners to draw upon a range of resources when they face difficulty in these areas.

Literacy strategies are the methods that learners use to help them read, write and spell effectively.  Learners with low first language literacy skills are learning these strategies for the first time.

In effective ESL literacy programs, literacy strategies are taught and practiced explicitly. The development of reading, writing and spelling strategies allows learners to draw upon a range of resources when they face difficulty in these areas.

Strategy instruction also lays the groundwork for lifelong literacy development. A learner who has developed strategies for reading, writing and spelling is better equipped to face literacy-related challenges and to continue developing their skills beyond the classroom environment.

The ESL Literacy Curriculum Framework provides learning outcomes for reading, writing and spelling strategy development. These strategies were developed based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000: ESL for Literacy Learners document, current research and theory in ESL literacy, and input from experienced ESL literacy instructors.