Literacy

Speech technology has had an ‘astounding’ effect on students who find writing difficult, says Blair Minchin

With learning mostly taking place on computers during lockdown, many pupils are out of practice with their handwriting

Getting specialists in subjects other than English to work on boosting students’ literacy can be an uphill struggle, yet Sarah Eggleton managed to introduce a whole-school approach to vocab learning that not only works for teachers but has seen pupils make use of more sophisticated language across the curriculum

As well as introducing students to new words, we should be demonstrating how they can use them in their speaking and writing, says Jon Severs

‘Less traditional’ English Language GCSE will see students writing application letters to focus more on ‘real-world’ skills

When teaching moved online, oracy skills may have taken a back seat, but Nicky Pear and Nicole Gurvidi formed a partnership to maintain an already strong focus on spoken communication

Forget dressing up for World Book Day on 4 March, argues this English teacher, and try some of these reading-focused ideas instead

Rote learning an isolated list of words in preparation for a weekly test had not led to spelling improvements in her pupils’ independent writing, so Ann Jago decided to abolish the practice and adopt a more integrated approach

Tests to measure children’s reading ability in relation to their age have been used for decades. But are they actually any use? And should teachers be making decisions about their students’ needs based on the results? Jessica Powell finds out

Integrating non-native speakers into the classroom is an important job for any teacher – one literacy lead offers advice

Why does it vanish at key stage 4? This art form is great for wellbeing and it can help teenagers to find their voice, says Laura Tsabet

The majority of primary schools give their morning over to English and maths. But is this the right thing to do? Dan Worth looks at the research – and the arguments