Can You Read the World? Preparing Young Learners for Meaningful Real-World Interaction

In today’s fast-paced, information-rich world, the English language has become even more important as a tool for global communication. The traditional skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking are essential, but are they enough to prepare our learners for the future?

English language learners need new, expanded literacy skills to understand themselves and the world they live in, and to navigate the many sources of information they encounter every day. Integrating multiple literacies into English language learning can help students develop these important skills.

In this session, National Geographic Learning author Lulu Campbell will walk us through the concept of multiple literacies, focusing on Textual Literacy, Visual Literacy, Media Literacy, Social Literacy, and Global Literacy. Using examples from Trailblazer, National Geographic Learning’s new Primary program for young learners of English, she will demonstrate how multiple literacy skills can be developed alongside English language skills. By the end of the session, you’ll understand how multiple literacies can help young learners confidently engage with people, ideas, and the world beyond the classroom.

Lulu Campbell is a writer and language teaching specialist. With a background in educational publishing, she has more than 30 years of experience in the field of global education. She has worked as a teacher, teacher trainer, curriculum developer, and publisher for the public and private sector in Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and North Africa. She has taught English to all ages, specializing in primary education. Lulu holds a BA Honors degree in English, and a Master of Arts in TEFL with distinction. She has worked as an author on a range of National Geographic Learning publications, including Reach for the Stars, Look, and Trailblazer.