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36. What does literacy utopia look like, and how can we get there? with Jennie Shearer
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What if every secondary school teacher knew how to teach a child to read? What if we stopped treating literacy as simply spelling and grammar exercises and instead recognised it as the foundation of all learning? In this thought-provoking conversation with English teacher and literacy lead Jennie Shearer, we explore the troubling reality that most teachers have never been taught how to support struggling readers.
Jennie shares her frustration with CPD sessions that fail to address this fundamental gap in teacher knowledge. "If students don't understand what we're asking them—not because they don't understand the question but because they don't understand the words—it's irrelevant," she explains, highlighting why the traditional approach to literacy instruction falls short for our most vulnerable learners.
Drawing from her extensive experience as both a literacy lead and classroom teacher, Jennie offers practical strategies that any teacher can implement. We discuss the power of grounding new concepts in familiar contexts, exploring etymology and word roots, and reconceptualising literacy as more than just technical accuracy. The conversation moves beyond the mechanics of reading to consider how vocabulary instruction opens doorways to deeper conceptual understanding across all subjects.
The discussion takes a powerful turn when we consider the broader implications of literacy beyond school walls. With approximately 15-18% of adults lacking functional literacy, the stakes couldn't be higher. As Jennie poignantly notes, the difference between survival and thriving often comes down to whether students can access information independently.
Whether you're an English teacher, science specialist, or school leader, this conversation challenges you to see reading instruction as everyone's responsibility. How might our schools transform if literacy were treated not as a policy mandate but as a fundamental aspect of school culture? Listen now to join this essential conversation about reimagining literacy education for all learners.
Chapters
1. 36. What does literacy utopia look like, and how can we get there? with Jennie Shearer (00:00:00)
2. Welcome to Jenny Shearer (00:00:18)
3. The Literacy Crisis in Teaching (00:02:08)
4. Reconceptualizing Literacy Beyond SPAG (00:05:21)
5. Practical Strategies for Teaching Reading (00:10:24)
6. Etymology and Word Play in the Classroom (00:16:57)
7. Creating a Culture of Literacy in Schools (00:25:46)
8. Teacher Training and Reading for Pleasure (00:30:42)
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