Environmental print

Environmental print is the print that can be found in many public environments, such as roads (street signs, billboards, directions, bus and train destination signs) and shopping areas (shop and product names, public service signs, cafés and restaurants).

Most adults will recognise some print in their environments. Some of this environmental print will be generic (for example, chemist, police) and some will be specific (for example, McDonald’s – where the ‘golden arch’ of the letter M is recognised, as well as the full name, Pak’n Save, The Warehouse, Shell, Woburn, DON’T CROSS).

Other important parts of a person’s environment include print that becomes familiar to the learner, such as food and drink labels, money and many other features. The amount of print recognised will grow as learners’ needs and literacy expertise develop.