Building the evidence base
The Language and Literacy team partners with internal and external organisations to build the evidence base in the field of reading and writing disorders.
Reading is one of the most researched aspects of learning. A vast body of contemporary research provides clear direction on the most effective way to teach reading. Effective teaching and early intervention can lead to high levels of oral language and literacy achievement for all children, including those at-risk or vulnerable for later reading challenges.
The department’s effective teaching of reading literature review (PDF, 3.5MB) provides a synthesis of existing research on how children learn to read. It can inform the effective teaching of reading for all students through the Australian Curriculum.
Inclusive teaching of reading and writing
The Language and Literacy team is your centre for expert advice and professional learning in child and adolescent reading and writing disorders.
Inclusive education team infographic (PDF, 101KB): Learning to read and write is a complex and dynamic system with multiple points of vulnerability for children with language learning needs and developmental disabilities. Leading an effective and efficient inclusive education team requires awareness of the skills and knowledge that different team members bring to your whole school approach to prevention, early identification and support of reading and writing disorders.
Early years and prevention
While formal reading and writing instruction typically begins when children enter school, access to written language is founded in strong oral language competency.
The Language and Literacy team works with early years educators, parents and caregivers to:
- increase understanding of the integral relationship between spoken and written language
- create language and literacy-rich home and learning environments.
Increasing understanding of the typical progression of oral language and emergent literacy development will facilitate early identification of children at-risk for reading and writing difficulties.
Speech Pathology Australia produced the
Communication Milestone Kit External link to outline how early childhood educators and speech language pathologists can work together to ensure that children reach these milestones within the expected timeframes.
Differentiate and access
The Language and Literacy team builds teachers' understanding of:
- the specific nature of reading and writing disorders
- how to differentiate the teaching and learning environment, curriculum and assessment materials to meet the learning and access needs of students with reading and writing disorders.
Further information may be found at the following locations.
Book: Reading Success in the Primary Years
Reading Success in the Primary Years is an important publication that describes a successful collaboration between the Queensland Department of Education and 3 Queensland universities. It explains how to bridge the gap between research and practice in the identification and remediation of students experiencing difficulties in reading. You can download an electronic version on the
Springer Link website External link.
Rural and remote
The Language and Literacy team provides support for targeted clusters of schools in rural and remote locations. Collaboration with regional and school staff provides the opportunity to build staff capability and knowledge in reading and writing development, difference and disorder.