Language-use is one of the key characteristics of being human. It is an action. Language enables us not only to communicate how things are, but connote how they could be. A language use capability is what we can be and do with language. Wellbeing literacy is a language use capability- what we can be and do with wellbeing language. This presentation will describe the five components of the capability model of wellbeing literacy (Oades et al, 2021); (1) vocabulary and knowledge about wellbeing; (2) language skills of comprehending about wellbeing; (3) language skills of composing about wellbeing;(4) being sensitive to context and (5) intentionality of improving wellbeing of self, others or the world. The multimodal aspects of wellbeing communication will be highlighted; reading-writing, speaking-listening, creating-viewing. Everyday examples of instances of wellbeing literacy will be discussed including intentional social media posting, going to see a comedy, keeping a playlist. The Well-Lit 6 will be described as one preliminary measure of wellbeing literacy (Hou et al, 2021). It will be argued that wellbeing literacy is a language use capability relevant to all positive psychology interventions (Oades et al, 2020). As a participant you will be encouraged to consider how wellbeing literacy is relevant to your personal and professional life, across the roles and systems in which you operate; at home, at school, at work.
How well do you intentionally use language for the benefit of yourself, the person(s) you are communicating with and/or the broader world?
How wellbeing literate are you, your partner, your boss, your child?
When designing and intervention or a lesson, what are the wellbeing language-use skills required? How will you adapt the intervention plan because of that?
What would a more wellbeing literate society look like?