

"Orality” has been an important reality in the missions world.
"From the time of the Gutenberg Bible, Christianity ‘has walked on literate feet’ and has directly or indirectly required literacy of others. However, 70% of all people in the world are oral communicators, those who can’t, don’t, or won’t learn through literate means."

In some countries, like Chad and Sierra Leone, more than half the population are non-literates.
Low levels of literacy are also common in people groups whose language is not officially recognized so it is not taught in schools. They have to learn a new language to become literate.
The number of non-literates is usually higher among women, among older people, in rural settings and in war-torn countries.
Low levels of literacy are also common in people groups whose language is not officially recognized so it is not taught in schools. They have to learn a new language to become literate.
The number of non-literates is usually higher among women, among older people, in rural settings and in war-torn countries.
Non-literates aren’t oral learners by choice: they have no other option.
People who don’t learn through written materials usually only have a few years of schooling and are functionally illiterate. And those who won’t learn through literate means are educated, sometimes even highly literate, but simply prefer to learn orally.

Imagine you’re in a group Bible study. Everyone opens their Bibles and is given questions to discuss.
What would need to change if all the members of your study group were oral communicators? They wouldn’t be able to read the Bible, let alone the discussion questions. How can they effectively study, observe, interpret, and apply the Word?
How Oral Communicators Learn
1
Listen to the text in their own language
The non-educated can only learn using their mother tongue.
2
Memorize the passage
Make memorization an interactive and enjoyable activity! Use drama, drawings, puppets, songs, gestures, games, to involve all of the senses, resulting in more effective and long-lasting results.
3
Process the passage through questions and discussion
Explore the passage in your mind, noticing things you may not have noticed if you hadn’t memorized it. Discuss what the teaching means for them and how they can apply it to their daily lives
4
Give them an audio version
This helps consolidate the memorization through repetition and preserve its accuracy.
Literacy and Orality Advantages
We are so grateful for the written Word. Yes, let’s keep teaching people to read and write so they can access the wealth of written resources out there.
But orality has significant advantages. Where there are no churches, small groups of believers gather to study the Word. They are often of varying educational levels, and because oral teaching is so inclusive, everyone can learn simultaneously.
The truths of the Word of God are being ‘hidden in the heart,’ making them readily available for personal encouragement and guidance, but also for sharing with others. An orality approach can open doors and hearts.
In the context of persecution, oral Bible study doesn’t leave a trace. The Word has been memorized and cannot be confiscated or burned. It can accompany believers, sustaining them through hardship.
But orality has significant advantages. Where there are no churches, small groups of believers gather to study the Word. They are often of varying educational levels, and because oral teaching is so inclusive, everyone can learn simultaneously.
The truths of the Word of God are being ‘hidden in the heart,’ making them readily available for personal encouragement and guidance, but also for sharing with others. An orality approach can open doors and hearts.
In the context of persecution, oral Bible study doesn’t leave a trace. The Word has been memorized and cannot be confiscated or burned. It can accompany believers, sustaining them through hardship.
