How Texts, Screens, and Old Habits are Reshaping University Literacy in South Africa
LOL, brb, smh… these are not just random letters; they are the daily currency of communication for most university students. We live in a world where emojis, memes, and GIFs can convey feelings faster than full sentences ever could. But what happens when this shorthand spills over into academic writing, or when hours of scrolling replace actual reading? Walking across campus, it may look like literacy is no problem, but the reality is much more complicated. Many students struggle to read for understanding, construct cohesive arguments, or express ideas clearly in writing, all of which are essential skills for academic success and beyond.
The 2021 national Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) assessment paints a stark picture: only about 19% of grade 4 learners could read for meaning, and these scores have been declining. These early deficits do not vanish after school. For university students, they often manifest as difficulties interpreting academic texts, producing extended essays, or engaging critically with arguments. Even highly motivated students sometimes struggle to translate reading comprehension into written expression.
University students today grew up in a world dominated by text messaging, WhatsApp, social media, and abbreviations. While texting can enhance creative skills, it can also reinforce careless spelling and informal grammar. At university, the stakes are higher: lecturers expect precise, coherent prose and critical engagement with sources.
Many students spend hours each day on their screens – scrolling through social media, streaming shows, or juggling lecture recordings and YouTube tutorials. South African research shows that passive screen consumption can reduce vocabulary growth and limit comprehension depth. Even at a university level, the habit of skimming digital text rather than engaging deeply makes academic success harder to achieve.
Several factors amplify literacy challenges:
- Weak foundation from school: Many students arrive without strong reading comprehension or essay-writing skills.
- Digital habits: Reliance on shorthand and multitasking conflicts with the sustained attention required for academic work.
- Information overload: Lectures, readings, and assignments can overwhelm students, encouraging skimming rather than deep learning.
- Limited feedback: Large class sizes often limit guidance on improving writing or critical thinking.
Strategies to Reclaim Literacy at University
- Read Beyond the Curriculum: Engage with novels, opinion pieces, research articles, and essays. Exposure to varied genres of literature expands vocabulary, introduces different structures, and strengthens critical thinking.
- Form Peer Study and Writing Groups: Discuss readings, review essays, and critique each other’s work. Teaching others and defending your ideas reinforces your own understanding.
- Seek Feedback Early and Often: Visit writing centres or ask lecturers to review drafts before deadlines. Feedback provides concrete steps for improvement.
- Summarise Before You Write: Outline your main points and evidence before starting your essays. Clear structure prevents rambling and improves clarity.
- Use Tools Wisely: Keep a dictionary and thesaurus handy, and make it a habit to look up unfamiliar words immediately.
- Read Aloud: Hearing your writing exposes awkward phrasing, missing words, and unclear sentences.
- Balance Screens with Reflection: When using digital sources, pause, process, and summarise information. Avoid passive scrolling during study time.
The literacy challenges university students face in South Africa are the continuation of systemic and social factors that begin in early schooling, compounded by digital habits and limited guidance in higher education. But students are not powerless. By actively practising reading, writing, and reflection, and being supported by peers, tutors, and structured routines, university students can reclaim strong literacy skills, improve academic performance, and equip themselves for professional life. Literacy is not just an academic requirement; it is a lifelong tool for communication, critical thinking, and empowerment.
