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18 April 2016updated 12 Oct 2023 11:09am

New Statesman Literacy Week 2016

Welcome to the New Statesman's literacy week, discussing literature and literacy from policy to practice.

By Stephanie Boland

The word “literacy” means different things in different contexts. For many people, the first things that come to mind are books and reading, especially in childhood. But literacy can also mean financial or political literacy – having the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate money or your place in society.

For the New Statesman’s 2016 Literacy Week, we’re exploring the question of literacy from a variety of angles. We’ll be looking at what it means to grow up with books, and conversely what it means when you can’t read. We’ll feature pieces from authors and young writers discussing the reading material which matters to them. And we’ll be asking what can be done on a policy level to improve literacy, in schools and elsewhere.

I hope you enjoy the pieces below.

The trials and triumphs of learning to read in a second language, by Anoosh Chakelian and Yo Zushi
Two New Statesman staffers recount how they learned to read Armenian and English, respectively.

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Why we need to improve education in prisons, for the benefit of everyone
Frances Crook, Chief Executive of The Howard League, on literacy for offenders.

How a sugar company taught be to read
Stephen Bush on dyslexia and the outreach programme that made him the person he is today.

Class and literacy, from Enid Blyton to Hoggart
Stephanie Boland on growing up in libraries.

The topics that taught me to read in spite of myself
Henry Zeffman and India Bourke on the things they loved to read about.

When it comes to literacy, millennials are a lost generation
Barbara Speed on our spending habits – and why young women, in particular, are losing out.

What literacy can do for children in institutions
Georgette Mulheir, CEO of J K Rowling’s charity Lumos, on the children denied education – and how literacy can mend families.

From school books to publishing, black girls deserve better representation
They’re the demographic most likely to read, says Varaidzo – so why are black girls not catered for?

How tackling poor literacy could benefit everyone
David Hughes, CEO of the Learning and Work Institute, on why devolved powers might be the key to change.

Why we should all be reading, and writing, about sex more
Joanna Walsh on “sex-literacy”.

Bribes, brothers and books on the road: how we learnt to love reading
Barbara Speed, Anna Leszkiewicz and Phil Maughan.

How do we ensure disadvantaged voices are heard?
Kit de Waal on the cost of writing – and how she tried to help level the playing field.

Political literacy and why the public aren’t stupid – even if politicians wish they were
Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin discusses what it means for different people to understand politics.

Content from our partners
The promise of prevention
How Labour hopes to make the UK a leader in green energy
Is now the time to rethink health and care for older people? With Age UK

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com Our Thursday ideas newsletter, delving into philosophy, criticism, and intellectual history. The best way to sign up for The Salvo is via thesalvo.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team. The best way to sign up for The Green Transition is via spotlightonpolicy.substack.com
  • Administration / Office
  • Arts and Culture
  • Board Member
  • Business / Corporate Services
  • Client / Customer Services
  • Communications
  • Construction, Works, Engineering
  • Education, Curriculum and Teaching
  • Environment, Conservation and NRM
  • Facility / Grounds Management and Maintenance
  • Finance Management
  • Health - Medical and Nursing Management
  • HR, Training and Organisational Development
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Information Services, Statistics, Records, Archives
  • Infrastructure Management - Transport, Utilities
  • Legal Officers and Practitioners
  • Librarians and Library Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • OH&S, Risk Management
  • Operations Management
  • Planning, Policy, Strategy
  • Printing, Design, Publishing, Web
  • Projects, Programs and Advisors
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  • Public Relations and Media
  • Purchasing and Procurement
  • Quality Management
  • Science and Technical Research and Development
  • Security and Law Enforcement
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  • Wellbeing, Community / Social Services
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU