a concept of literacy as being multimodal rather than language dominant, being made up of multiple literacies and multiple literate practices that continuously evolve as local and global society, culture and technology change the contexts in which literacy is practiced. Multiliteracies enable capacities to cope with change and effectively participate and contribute to all aspects of society: workplace, leisure, social, cultural and civic environments.

recognised, agreed upon and accepted behaviour (acting and interacting), talking and valuing among a social or cultural group. The social or cultural group will use these ways of behaving and talking in particular contexts. They may have a shared language (for example, slang) and ways of dressing or ways of wearing clothes. They may also share ways of viewing or acting toward particular social or cultural groups.

the way in which literacies (for example speaking, listening, reading or writing) are used in a particular social or cultural group. This includes, the purposes for using literacy, the ways of using literacy and the contexts in which literacy is used. Membership of a particular social or cultural group may influence what aspects of literacy are valued most (for example oral language over written language, images over words).

a state of being and a set of capabilities through which the literate individual is able to utilize the interior world of self to act upon and interact with the exterior structures of the world around him in order to make sense of self and other.

effective literacy, intrinsically purposeful, flexible and dynamic and involves the integration of speaking and listening and critical thinking skills with reading and writing.