Editorial: Spotlight on language and literacy
Findings from studies captured in this special issue make for compelling reading about the direction of language and literacy research in the UK and further afield. Ian Collen, from Queen’s...
Blog Special Issues
Spotlight on language and literacy
This special issue of the BERA Blog places a spotlight on educational research in the field of language and literacy. Covering a range of topics from modern language learning to language as an enabler or barrier, the contributions explore the direction of language and literacy research in the UK and further afield.
The issue features contributions about:
- the first British Council survey of language trends in Northern Ireland, which aims to ascertain the impact of policy decisions on language learning
- the day-to-day challenges facing two modern languages teachers in Northern Ireland and their desire to reimagine the current GCSE
- the existence and scope of language-related policies in secondary schools in England
- the difficulties pupils have in adapting to changes in science language as they transition from primary to secondary school
- ways in which pupil–teacher classroom interaction can support thinking skills in English and mathematics lessons
- the need to gain perspective on media responses to educational research on the teaching of reading and writing.
Language trends Northern Ireland 2021
Speaking an international language is crucial to understanding another culture and for long-term growth and prosperity (British Academy et al., 2020). So, no matter how many people around the...
A tale of two teachers: Reimagining GCSE modern languages
Qualifications in modern languages are changing. Qualifications and assessment reform is on the political agenda in England, Scotland and Wales; while in Northern Ireland, the Council for...
School-level language policies: What are they and (why) do we need them?
Dimensions of language in schools Many educators will be familiar with the saying that ‘all teachers are language teachers’ and few would argue that language doesn’t play a crucial role in...
The change in science language as a result of transition from primary to secondary school
When students move from primary to secondary school, one of the numerous challenges that they encounter is language. The language of school academic activity is importantly different from the...
Meta-thinking and meta-talk in English and mathematics lessons in the primary school
An interest in neurolinguistics and the idea that children’s development of thought and language is interdependent (Vygotsky, 1962; Bloom, 2000) has led to my research about how classroom talk...
The politics of ‘scientifically-based’ teaching: Phonics for reading and grammar for writing
The teaching of reading and writing understandably attracts attention from researchers, teachers and policymakers because of the importance of literacy for children’s educational development....
Editor
Barbara Skinner, Professor
Professor in TESOL and Education at Ulster University
Barbara Skinner is a Professor in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)and Education in the School of Education at Ulster University. Barbara lectures on a range of teacher education courses. She is involved with doctoral...
Content in this series
Language trends Northern Ireland 2021
Speaking an international language is crucial to understanding another culture and for long-term growth and prosperity (British Academy et al., 2020). So, no matter how many people around the...
Continue reading blog post
The change in science language as a result of transition from primary to secondary school
When students move from primary to secondary school, one of the numerous challenges that they encounter is language. The language of school academic activity is importantly different from the...
Continue reading blog post
School-level language policies: What are they and (why) do we need them?
Dimensions of language in schools Many educators will be familiar with the saying that ‘all teachers are language teachers’ and few would argue that language doesn’t play a crucial role in...
Continue reading blog post
The politics of ‘scientifically-based’ teaching: Phonics for reading and grammar for writing
The teaching of reading and writing understandably attracts attention from researchers, teachers and policymakers because of the importance of literacy for children’s educational development....
Continue reading blog post
A tale of two teachers: Reimagining GCSE modern languages
Qualifications in modern languages are changing. Qualifications and assessment reform is on the political agenda in England, Scotland and Wales; while in Northern Ireland, the Council for...
Continue reading blog postMeta-thinking and meta-talk in English and mathematics lessons in the primary school
An interest in neurolinguistics and the idea that children’s development of thought and language is interdependent (Vygotsky, 1962; Bloom, 2000) has led to my research about how classroom talk...
Continue reading blog post
Editorial: Spotlight on language and literacy
Findings from studies captured in this special issue make for compelling reading about the direction of language and literacy research in the UK and further afield. Ian Collen, from Queen’s...
Continue reading blog post