The teacher has an important role to play in a student's literacy acquisition.

Outline the six

key skills that every teacher of literacy should engage students in acquiring.
There are six (6) key skills that every teacher should engage students in acquiring when
developing literacy. They are:
1. Phonological awareness - Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and work
with the sounds in spoken language. It includes skills such as identifying syllables, and
individual phonemes. Phonological awareness is important for word recognition and
reading.

2. Word Recognition - Word recognition is the ability to recognize and read words
accurately and automatically. It involves both phonics and decoding skills, as well as
sight recognition of frequent and familiar words. Word recognition is important for
developing reading fluency.

3. Fluency - Fluency refers to the ability to read with accuracy, speed, and expression.
Fluent readers can read smoothly and at an appropriate pace, which enhances
comprehension. Fluency also involves recognizing and reading irregular words that
cannot be sounded out.

4. Vocabulary - Vocabulary refers to the knowledge and understanding of words. It includes

knowing the meanings of words, their pronunciation, and how to use them in context. A
strong vocabulary is crucial for reading comprehension and overall language
development.

5. Comprehension - Comprehension is the ability to understand and make meaning from

written text. It involves actively constructing meaning by connecting prior knowledge,
decoding words, and understanding the structure and organization of the text.
Comprehension skills include making inferences, summarizing, and analysing text.

6. Writing - Writing is a crucial aspect of literacy. It involves the ability to express thoughts,
ideas, and information in written form. Writing helps reinforce reading skills, as it
requires understanding of language structure, vocabulary, and grammar. It also promotes
critical thinking and creativity. Students should be given opportunities to practice writing
and develop their writing skills. This includes teaching students how to write for different
purposes and audiences and encouraging them to express their thoughts and ideas through
writing. For example, by using a daily journal.