Their Relevance to Social Work

• Summary: This article examines the issue of orality and literacy and reflects critically on their relevance, challenges and opportunities in relation to social work practice and education. • Findings: The findings from language studies on the effects of literacy on individuals are examined, identifying the significant features of the oral and literate mind-sets. Using these findings, the hiatus between the literate mode of education and oral mode of practice in social work, and its possible effects, are scrutinized. Three types of incompatibility are identified: between clients and social workers; between direct and indirect practice; and between education and practice. • Applications: Empirical studies can be conducted in education and practice based on the deliberations of this article to test the validity of the assertions and the heuristic tools suggested. Social work educators and practitioners may want to redress the balance between the oral and written modes of communication in curriculum design, methods of assessment and accounting for practice, with due recognition of the orally mediated mode of knowledge construction and dissemination. Keywords literacy orally mediated knowledge orality social work education social work practic