Tid Lit

It’s always a treat to walk down memory lane with a friend and colleague; it’s practically a gift when you get to run an interview with such an individual, especially when the topic of the day is something you’re both so passionate about. Dan and I went to university together and although our paths veered in different directions, they have crossed once again in this inspiring discussion about the impacts of empowering students to find their voice and their place in a classroom.  There are some key points in this meander though such definitive educational concepts - the importance of reflection, feedback, and language for both teachers and students is certainly the point which resonates with me most.  If every student can begin their literacy journey by understanding the true power of language, and in turn every educator can provide an equitable platform by which students can obtain and master language… well we might not even need something like NAPLAN. You can check out everything “4C

Finding time for reading can be difficult for even those of us who are hand on heart obsessed with it. There are nights where everything takes a little too long, or days that take a little too much out of you; or probably the worst scenario, which is that you’ve read so much during your day you just can’t bear to look at another word. Probably the equivalent of eating too many brussels sprouts and not having any room for dessert.  One of the age groups that has been flagged again and again for having poor reading habits are teens. Understandably so, as this group are not only going through extreme physiological changes but are also juggling the expectations of their schooling, extra-curricular hobbies and changing identity - all while being constantly prepped for their next stage of life, 'adulthood’.  Teenagers will already have a LOT to read from their subjects at school; unfortunately these materials are rarely their own choice and are often linked to homework or assessments. Al

Have you ever been to a party with your partner or friends who know individuals in completely different fields of work/study to your own? Have you nodded knowingly in the conversations you’re an audience member of, actually totally clueless to what’s going on? Perhaps you’ve been in a consultation with a professional like a doctor, lawyer, tradie who begins to use words you’ve never heard to try and explain something you need to know, that you cannot understand at all.  “Can you use plain English for me?” is a line I have been privy to and have also uttered many times.  This my friends, is the power of metalanguage and jargon which can unite and divide any individual that comes across them. For a breakdown of metalanguage, Richard Nordquist does a great job, but if you’re less of a linguist I’ve got a wonderful example from AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership) where a Marylyn Pett is giving an explanation of her awareness of the power of metalanguage. Notice