Literacy in Australia

Literacy means so much more than decoding symbols on a page or screen. It encompasses social, cultural and historical processes which begin early in children’s lives. Literacy in Australia: Pedagogies for Engagement caters to the core requirements of a one semester, Prep-Year 6 undergraduate literacy course. With a socio-cultural and multiliteracies approach, the book equips students with a contemporary, practical framework for pre-service teachers. Literacy benchmarks are fundamental across the entire Australian Curriculum; literacy education is no longer confined to the English classroom. Literacy in Australia provides students with a clear understanding of how to navigate the Australian Curriculum in real terms through the exploration of topics such as: Culturally relevant practices for reading and writing, including Indigenous literacy and supporting EAL/D (English as an Additional Language or Dialect) literacy practices Theories of literacy development Oral language learning in and out of the classroom Beginning readers and writers Awareness of – and respect for – the literature of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, including storytelling traditions as well as contemporary literature Examining literacy in the twenty-first century Literacy programs and approaches Effective assessment practices How to work with struggling readers and writers Literacy in Australia presents a visually appealing learning design with the inclusion of real student work throughout the book, as well as examples of classic children’s literature through to cutting edge multimodal texts. At once engaging and challenging, Literacy in Australia gives students the tools and confidence to successfully embark on their career as a future literacy educator.