The (New) Literacy Studies: The evolving concept of literacy as social practice and its relevance for work with deaf students

Abstract Developed in the 1980s by social anthropologists, education researchers and psychologists, field of research known as (New) Literacy Studies (NLS) has put forward a sociocultural understanding literacy practice. Although NLS’ core assumption about literacy—that it is more than set cognitive abilities—is still valid nowadays was then, new theoretical ideas have been added to their canon. These include multiliteracies, multimodality, real literacies, materiality affect. With these notions, continue challenge conventional discourses disregard for range practices people engage in. In this paper, I introduce some developments. then discuss conceptual relevance context two action projects with deaf children youth India, Uganda Ghana. projects, my colleagues tried an approach teaching English young adults that specifically inspired from literacies multiliteracies. Our shaped commitment justice its belief having build on students’ existing practices. challenges we experienced when putting into practice look at how students engaged them light expectations desires learning.