Literacy is a very important skill that can affect many aspects of life. Literacy can be taught in a variety of ways and usually begins at a young age. The way literacy is taught has a large impact on an individual's literacy ability – each literacy method varies and has advantages and disadvantages. Literacy is an essential skill that can be taught effectively using a sequential process incorporating a combination of techniques and methods based on individual needs. Literacy includes reading, writing, speaking and listening. Children typically begin learning these skills before entering school and will continue to learn and use these skills throughout their lives. Each individual develops a literate identity and constructs personal theories about literacy (Beach & Ward, 2013). This literate identity is constructed and created based on how an individual is educated and will essentially follow them throughout their life. Being illiterate or not being able to read, write or understand a language can affect the way an individual thinks and feels and can be a determining factor in how an individual interacts with others and what he can accomplish in life. . Literacy is something that affects all individuals, whether positively or negatively, and will impact many aspects of their lives. For literacy to be learned successfully, no single teaching method can be imposed. Instead, learners should be exposed to a variety of methods and strategies that will ensure that what is taught is actually understood and learned. According to the NSW Department of Education and Training (2009), there are eight essential aspects of literacy development... middle of article ...... inexpressible; one can only assume that this is known and that all literacy learners have the opportunity to thrive. Works CitedBeach, S. and Ward, A. (2013). Insights into engaged literacy: Stories of literate identity. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/bakerezproxy.palnet.info/10.1080/02568543.2013.767290Malcolm X. (1965). Homemade education. In G. Goshgarian, Exploring Language (13th ed., pp. 67-69). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. NSW Department of Education and Training. (2009). An introduction to quality literacy: explicit, systematic, balanced, integrated. Sydney: New South Wales Department of Education and Training. Rodrigues, L. and Smith, B. (2014). Linking pedagogy: Literacy scaffolding and first steps. Practically Primary, retrieved from www.alea.edu.au/