B2 – Upper Intermediate
The ability to understand complex and sometimes mundane texts is an incredibly important skill, allowing us to gain knowledge and power from those who have lived very different lives from us. This skill is known as “literacy,” one that should continuously be increasing among individuals all across the globe. However, for the first time in a hundred years, literacy rates are dropping. But why? Shouldn’t the modern world, which grants access to collections of texts far greater than even the Library of Alexandria at a single click of our fingertips, give us an edge in literacy over our ancestors? Well, it may be that very world that’s causing this crisis in the first place.
Watch the video below to learn more about why we are heading towards a post-literate society.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “democratization of information” mean? “With that sort of information, you have more power over what you chose to think and do. And that is why the democratization of information was terrifying for the elites. ” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
- What does “hammered home” mean? “This is a point I’ve hammered home in many previous videos, so I won’t spend too long on it, but short form content and endless scrolling platforms have undoubtedly shifted our expectations around knowledge acquisition and entertainment.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
- What is “to get out of the mud”? “In the 17th or 18th century, the only way you were getting out of the mud.” Use this phrase in a sentence and give a similar expression.
Discussion Questions:
- Why was literacy a skill exclusive to the rich and elites for such a long period of our history? And how did it become available for the poor as time passed?
- Do you think we’re heading to post-literate era? Expound your stance.
- In your opinion, how important is literacy? Especially in this day and age? And why?
- What are ways you can think of to ensure literacy rates continuously increase once more?