Literacy

The latest news, analysis and best practice advice when it comes to literacy, from recent research and how to implement it to new guidance and what it means

Wednesday

24th Apr 2024

Modern language assistants disappear from Scottish state schools
The only MLAs left in Scotland are based at independent schools, fuelling fears about declining interest in learning languages
French exit sign

Monday

22nd Apr 2024

A simple but radical new way to assess writing
Measuring writing development can be a tricky process, writes Megan Dixon, but a new systematic review proposes an easy and effective approach
A simple but radical new way to assess writing
5 ways to support reading for pleasure in the classroom
Research suggests that reading for pleasure boosts both wellbeing and attainment across all subjects
5 ways to support reading for pleasure in the classroom

Wednesday

17th Apr 2024

NI ‘early years communication crisis’ highlighted
More children in Northern Ireland waiting for speech and language therapy per head of the population than anywhere else in the UK, ministers told
Tin can phone Northern Ireland

Monday

15th Apr 2024

In the battle of books vs videos, there is a clear winner for literacy
New research compares the vocabulary in books and programmes aimed at young people – and we should heed its findings, says Alex Quigley
Reading battle fairytale woods

Thursday

11th Apr 2024

School reading corners: do they actually help?
Is all the work that teachers put into creating a fancy ‘book nook’ worth it in terms of encouraging more children to read and, ultimately, improving literacy? Christina Quaine finds out

Tuesday

9th Apr 2024

Early years: 5 simple ways to play with nursery rhymes
Nursery rhymes help to develop linguistic skills, introduce storytelling and, most of all, they’re fun – so let’s make sure we keep the tradition alive, says Michelle Windridge
EYFS: How early years teachers can make best use of nursery rhymes

Monday

8th Apr 2024

8 ways to make a success of whole-class reading
Research tells us there are numerous benefits to whole-class reading comprehension lessons – so how can you make the most of them?

Thursday

28th Mar 2024

Michael Morpurgo: ‘Reading is not a medicine. You don’t just have to take it’
Establishing a ‘reading culture’ is vital for pupils’ development, but schools face barriers to making this a reality, says the children’s author
Michael Morpurgo: ‘Reading is not a medicine. You don’t just have to take it’

Monday

25th Mar 2024

Saving Scotland’s ‘languages ecosystem’ from collapse
Languages are a fragile but essential part of the curriculum and urgently need stronger backing in Scotland, say Fiona Barclay and Fhiona Mackay
How to prevent the collapse of Scottish education’s ‘languages ecosystem’

Sunday

17th Mar 2024

5 ideas for Scottish schools to explore on World Poetry Day
By helping pupils see poetry in the real world and appointing a school makar or poet laureate, schools can show that poetry is not stuffy, says English teacher Alan Gillespie
Timorous beastie Poetry

Thursday

7th Mar 2024

What works to get children reading for pleasure
Fewer children in England report that they enjoy reading, but what can be done to reverse the trend? Zofia Niemtus speaks to researcher Teresa Cremin to find out
How to get more children reading for pleasure