Oral Literacies: When Adults Read Aloud

This book examines the diversity of adult reading aloud practices in the early 21st century,challenging the dominant discourse of silent, solitary reading. It explores oral reading as a way of being together,at work,and in languages they may not speak or understand,with potential educational implications for literacy teaching and research.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 198 pages
Publication date: 24 December 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This groundbreaking book is the first to delve exclusively into the examination of early 21st-century adult reading aloud. The prevailing contemporary perception of reading in much of the world is that it is a solitary, silent activity. However, this book challenges this dominant discourse by acknowledging the diverse range of reading practices that adults engage in across different communities, languages, contexts, and phases of their lives. It outlines potential educational implications and provides valuable insights for literacy teaching and research.

By documenting and analyzing the various oral reading practices that adults participate in (both online and offline), this book explores contemporary reading aloud as a multifaceted, often invisible, yet profoundly ubiquitous phenomenon. Duncan raises thought-provoking questions such as: What motivates adults to read aloud or listen to others reading? How do couples, families, and groups utilize oral reading as a means of bonding? When and why do adults engage in oral reading at work? And why do some individuals read aloud in languages they may not fully comprehend?

This book is an essential resource for advanced students, researchers, and scholars in the fields of literacy practices and literacy education, including education, applied linguistics, and related disciplines. It sheds light on the rich tapestry of oral reading practices that exist in our modern world, offering valuable insights into the diverse ways in which adults engage with texts and promote literacy development.

Weight: 446g
Dimension: 164 x 244 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367086992