The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Every teacher needs to be a literacy teacher – but that's not happening in most Australian schools

  • Written by Margaret Kristin Merga, Honorary Senior Lecturer, School of Education, University of Newcastle
Every teacher needs to be a literacy teacher – but that's not happening in most Australian schools

We know literacy is important. Unfortunately, many Australian students move through the years of schooling[1] without achieving the literacy they need for essential daily activities.

When we think about building literacy, we most likely think about the English learning area. But think back to your time at school. You’ll probably remember you needed good literacy skills in learning areas beyond English.

Your knowledge and skills across most learning areas were gained and measured through your literacy skills. For example, your ability to write an essay in history, produce a report in science and explain your working out in mathematics contributed to your grade. Research shows how students’ literacy skills influence their achievement in mathematics[2] and science[3].

Read more: All teachers need to teach language and literacy, not just English teachers[4]

The Australian Curriculum positions literacy as a general capability[5] to be taught in every learning area. Despite this, few Australian schools have whole-school literacy policies that include practical plans for building student literacy across learning areas. That’s the troubling conclusion from my analysis of Australian and UK school literacy policies for my upcoming book[6].

My earlier research[7] also shows that many Australian secondary teachers do not believe their schools have a whole-school approach to supporting struggling literacy learners. This is concerning, as students who struggle with literacy won’t only struggle in English.

It’s not that the push to make every teacher a teacher of language and literacy is new. It has been discussed since the 1960s[8]. However, there are questions about how closely Australian schools meet this expectation.

What kinds of literacies do we need?

Many literacies are needed to boost achievement beyond English. When we talk about whole-school literacy, we often refer to content area literacy and disciplinary literacy.

Content area literacy[9] refers to the literacy knowledge, strategies and skills we use across the learning areas. For example, we don’t only need reading comprehension in English. It’s needed in every learning area that requires students to read.

Disciplinary literacy[10] relates to the literacy knowledge, strategies and skills that we use to achieve learning purposes that are unique to a learning area. For example, writing a science report[11] requires the correct scientific language, formatting, referencing and diagrams. It calls for specific literacy skills unique to science.

Read more: Language matters in science and mathematics - here’s why[12]

What’s missing from school literacy policies?

Whole-school literacy policies plan for all learning areas to include a focus on literacy achievement.

However, analysis of Australian schools’ literacy policies reveals many gaps in these policies. Part of the problem is an excessive focus on NAPLAN testing[13]. There is also limited attention to making the most of literacy resources such as school libraries[14], especially by comparison with policies in the UK.

School literacy policies commonly fail to include:

A definition of literacy that considers both content area literacy and disciplinary literacy, as well as the wide range of literacies that the school seeks to develop in its students. This should not be limited to the narrow[15] framing of literacy tested in NAPLAN.

Read more: A year without NAPLAN has given us a chance to re-evaluate how we gauge school quality[16]

Detailed and explicit literacy targets[17] for building content area and disciplinary literacy, as well as meeting other goals such as increasing students’ information literacy. Targets are needed so the policy isn’t just aspirational; it actually drives change. There should also be detailed implementation planning that allocates literacy responsibilities across the school.

An explanation of how improvement in literacy will be measured to determine the effectiveness of the policy. Don’t just assess changes in high-stakes literacy-testing scores. Look at building literacy engagement[18]. This relates to students’ attitudes toward and performance of practices such as reading for pleasure[19]. Research has found a relationship between reading for enjoyment and reading comprehension[20], a key content area literacy skill.

Plans for identifying and supporting[21] students who are struggling with literacy. These plans should cover all schooling years and learning areas. Include plans for professional development of teachers who lack confidence[22] in supporting students’ complex literacy needs among the many competing demands of their role.

Consideration of how to make the most of the literacy resources within the school. These resources include but are not limited to the school library and its staff[23].

Read more: Music can help lift our kids out of the literacy rut, but schools in some states are still missing out[24]

Attention to writing – the majority of Australian schools’ policies did not mention handwriting[25]. Most of the UK policies did. Australian school policies also rarely mentioned typing. A whole-school literacy policy should include these skills, given their importance across the curriculum and the years of schooling.

COVID-related literacy issues – school policies may also need to include strategies to overcome any negative impacts of pandemic-related education interruption[26] on students’ literacy learning.

In general, Australian school literacy policies are typically far shorter[27] and less detailed than their UK equivalents. Australian schools and their students will benefit from more effective whole-school literacy planning.

Literacy is not just the responsibility of the English teacher. Every teacher is a literacy teacher.

References

  1. ^ move through the years of schooling (www.tandfonline.com)
  2. ^ mathematics (www.sciencedirect.com)
  3. ^ science (link.springer.com)
  4. ^ All teachers need to teach language and literacy, not just English teachers (theconversation.com)
  5. ^ general capability (australiancurriculum.edu.au)
  6. ^ upcoming book (www.hbe.com.au)
  7. ^ My earlier research (journals.sagepub.com)
  8. ^ since the 1960s (www.jstor.org)
  9. ^ Content area literacy (journals.lww.com)
  10. ^ Disciplinary literacy (www.literacyworldwide.org)
  11. ^ science report (search.informit.org)
  12. ^ Language matters in science and mathematics - here’s why (theconversation.com)
  13. ^ excessive focus on NAPLAN testing (search.informit.org)
  14. ^ school libraries (journals.sagepub.com)
  15. ^ narrow (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  16. ^ A year without NAPLAN has given us a chance to re-evaluate how we gauge school quality (theconversation.com)
  17. ^ Detailed and explicit literacy targets (www.tandfonline.com)
  18. ^ engagement (www.abc-clio.com)
  19. ^ reading for pleasure (www.tandfonline.com)
  20. ^ reading for enjoyment and reading comprehension (www.sciencedirect.com)
  21. ^ identifying and supporting (journals.sagepub.com)
  22. ^ teachers who lack confidence (www.tandfonline.com)
  23. ^ school library and its staff (www.facetpublishing.co.uk)
  24. ^ Music can help lift our kids out of the literacy rut, but schools in some states are still missing out (theconversation.com)
  25. ^ handwriting (theconversation.com)
  26. ^ education interruption (www.iier.org.au)
  27. ^ typically far shorter (journals-sagepub-com.ezproxy.newcastle.edu.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/every-teacher-needs-to-be-a-literacy-teacher-but-thats-not-happening-in-most-australian-schools-184557

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Melbourne’s Burglary Boom: Break-Ins Surge Nearly 25%

Victorian homeowners are being warned to act now, as rising break-ins and falling arrest rates paint a worrying picture for suburban safety. Melbourne residents are facing an ...

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...

The Role of Your GP in Creating a Chronic Disease Management Plan That Works

Living with a long-term condition, whether that is diabetes, asthma, arthritis or heart disease, means making hundreds of small decisions every day. You plan your diet against m...

Troubleshooting Flickering Lights: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik Effectively addressing flickering lights in your home is more than just a matter of convenience; it's a pivotal aspect of both home safety and en...

My shins hurt after running. Could it be shin splints?

If you’ve started running for the first time, started again after a break, or your workout is more intense, you might have felt it. A dull, nagging ache down your shins after...