Mother Tongue Literacy

Abstract

Life in a globalized world requires a subtle mixture of skills and this principle applies also to the field of adult mother tongue (MT) literacy. Broadly speaking, adult literacies traditionally encompass two subdomains: general literacy and professional literacy (in the MT). These long-established literacies clash with two contemporary hegemonies—one that has been introduced by language, or English as a lingua franca (ELF); the other by technology, the digital revolution. The present chapter discusses MT literacy development by drawing empirical evidence from Poland and juxtaposes findings concerning literacy from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) reports with longitudinal studies concerning readership conducted by the National Library of Poland. The discussion is conducted glocally and implications for ensuring equity and social justice via developing adult MT literacy include, among others, the dual role of adults in becoming role models for future generations of lifelong readers.