Cultural Literacy in DIALLS

What do we mean when we say “cultural literacy”?

The classical view

“Cultural literacy” is a term coined by ED Hirsch in the 1980s as a bank of knowledge that it was felt young people in the US should have to be able to operate effectively in their society. Hirsch included a list of cultural ideas that he felt reflected what ‘every American needs to know’. 

The DIALLS view

In DIALLS, we think about it differently: while we agree that having a grasp of the histories and ideas of cultures in our midst is important, our approach moves beyond cultural literacy as knowledge.

We use the term “cultural literacy” to include the attitudes and skills that people need to get along with each other in everyday living. 

Empathy is key to being culturally literate, as it enables us to understand and include differing perspectives and values that are reflected in people’s lives. The skill of collaboration is also essential, and that requires practice: to collaborate well, people should value diversity, respect others and be willing both to overcome prejudices and to compromise (European Parliament, Council of the European Union, 2006).

Want to learn more?

  • Our Cultural Analysis Framework wheel (right) illustrates the key concepts for DIALLS as we think about cultural literacy and making sense of Europe.
  • Our glossary explains these terms as they appear in European educational policy documentation. See the full Cultural Analysis Framework document here.
  • Read the article Reconceptualizing Cultural Literacy as Dialogic Practice by DIALLS researchers Fiona Maine and Victoria Cook from the University of Cambridge and Tuuli Lähdesmäki from the University of Helsinki. It is available open-access in the London Review of Education.