Reading Recovery teachers focus on improving students’ oral language

105

On Thursday 27 August 2015, 105 Reading Recovery teachers from across the Diocese of Parramatta joined experienced language and literacy educator, Assoc Prof Janet Scull for a full day of professional learning.

A key author of the Victorian Early Literacy Program, Janet said the day largely focused on the foundations of oral language and how these are facilitative of children’s literacy learning.

There are key aspects of language and often we take them for granted,’ Janet said. ‘Today we have focused on having a conscious level of awareness around the aspects of language that matter to literacy.’

We have been focusing on three areas of literacy; vocabulary, syntax and the role of narrative discourse,’ she said. ‘We have also been looking at narrative structures and grammar, in terms of children’s literacy learning as a bridge from the oral to the written discourse structures.'

Janet Scull working with Reading Recovery teachers.

CEDP Reading Recovery tutor, Rosie Von Keisenberg, said Janet Scull brought another level of expertise to the work of the Reading Recovery teachers.

For me the highlight of today has been in knowing that we are bringing another level of expertise in the form of Janet Scull,’ Rosie said. ‘I think what Janet has done today is she has provided us with the metalanguage around oral language and we have been able to unpack the elements that contribute to oral language and what also stands in the way of literacy acquisition.’

Reading Recovery teachers discussing the day.

Holy Family Primary, Emerton Reading Recovery teacher, Julie McLean said oral language is essential in the development of children’s literacy skills, in both reading and writing.

We have found that the more conversations we have with students we start to see those longer utterances and that then reflects back on how students achieve in the classroom,’ Julie said. ‘I will definitely be having more conversations with students from now on.’

Janet speaking with 105 Reading Recovery teachers.

Janet said she was very to pleased to have been invited by the Parramatta Diocese to work with the Reading Recovery teachers.

It’s clearly evident that the Diocese has a strong commitment to equity and social justice through their early intervention programs, such as the Reading Recovery program,’ Janet said. ‘It is critical that if children’s literacy gains of the trajectory of failures are going to be disrupted it is important that we start early, early intervention is critical to children’s life chances.’

Since 2010

Since the establishment of Reading Recovery programs in 2010 the Diocese has expanded the program from 10 schools to all 56 schools in the Diocese, with the support of now 110 Reading Recovery teachers.

Written By

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au

Facebook

07 Aug 2026
From Facebook
Stage 3 enjoying a beautiful winters day at the stage 3 soccer gala day

06 Aug 2026
From Facebook
🌟💙 Young Mary Comes to Life! 💙🌟 Today, our students were captivated by the inspiring performance of Young Mary, a play exploring the early life of St Mary MacKillop. Through storytelling students discovered how Mary's deep faith, courage and compassion shaped her life from a young age. They learnt about her determination to help those most in need and her unwavering trust in God, even when faced with challenges. The performance reminded us all that we can make a difference through kindness, perseverance and service to others, just as St Mary MacKillop did. Her famous words, "Never see a need without doing something about it," continue to inspire our school community to live our faith through action every day. Thank you to the performers for bringing Mary's remarkable story to life and helping our students connect with the legacy of Australia's first saint. ❤️🙏 #StMaryMacKillop #YoungMary #FaithInAction #CatholicEducation #CTK #LearningThroughTheArts #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney