Digital Literacy and Adult English Learners

Abstract

Digital literacies are the socially and culturally embedded practices that are required as part of 21st‐century life in nearly every domain, from work, to education, to health, as well as for personal and community purposes. Digital literacies include the linguistic, pragmatic, and technical conventions of writing digital communication to a teacher about their children, to a neighbor about a problem, or to a work supervisor about a scheduling issue, for example. All workers, including adult English language learners, can expect that the skills required to perform their work will change and require increasing technology skills and digital literacies. Language teachers can integrate digital literacies instruction into their existing lessons and curricula in a variety of ways that promote both English language learning and the acquisition of digital literacies. Digital literacy activities need to be relevant to learners' goals, include multiple exposures, and support a try‐and‐see mindset. This entry addresses these concerns.