Language, Individual & Society, Volume 19, 2025

Rezumat: The issue of linguistic literacy is relevant to modern society both in Lithuania and in other countries. Literacy is perceived not only as the ability to write and read; it is also understood in a much wider context, i.e. as a competence of every person determining human development. Linguistic literacy is the ability to express thoughts clearly, correctly, and logically, both orally and in writing. It is an essential skill in academic, professional, and social contexts. However, today’s students increasingly face linguistic literacy issues caused by technological advancements, social media, and reduced reading habits (Lillis 2020). Another issue is the impact of information overload. The internet and social media provide quick access to a vast amount of information, often leading to superficial reading and a lack of critical evaluation. Students frequently struggle to identify reliable sources, negatively affecting academic writing and overall linguistic comprehension (Street 2009). However, the basis includes grammar, the knowledge of which determines the further development of linguistic literacy. This article analyzes the concept, importance, and challenges of students' linguistic literacy in today's society. It discusses key issues related to students' academic and everyday language use and suggests methods for improving linguistic literacy. Based on scientific studies, the development of linguistic literacy and its significance for professional and personal life are examined. The objective of this article is to reveal the level of linguistic literacy of first-year students studying in Kauno Kolegija / Institution of Higher Education. The sample of the research is 120 respondents who were filling the provided questionnaires anonymously. The research was carried out in 2024. In order to carry out and analyze the research a descriptive method was used which is applied for the discussion of scientific basis of analyzed topic presenting the theoretic assessment of the situation; a method of questionnaire survey which allows to collect information about the linguistic literacy of respondents; analytical method which helps to analyze and discuss the collected information. The survey for students studying Oral Hygiene as well as Dental Technology and Dental Care in the Faculty of Medicine of Kauno Kolegija / Institution of Higher Education has revealed that their linguistic literacy is not good and they make considerable amount of spelling and linguistic errors.