Pam is from the School of Education, La Trobe University. She works in the areas of Psychology, Speech Pathology and the Science of Reading and Literacy. Reading is a complex biological secondary skill and whilst a solid base in oral language is an important prerequisite for reading it's a skill that has to be explicitly taught. As such it requires specialist teacher training which hasn't always been given the required emphasis. Fads and fashions, not based on evidence, have formed the basis of schools adopting a whole language approach to the teaching of reading. The Grattan Institute reports that 30% of children are not meeting the required standard.

 

Sadly none of the recommendations of a National Enquiry (2006) into the teaching of literacy were taken up. This was in spite of the fact that the report along with other International studies stated that reading starts with decoding. Comprehension is a product of reading skills.  Humans are not naturally wired to reading. Books and ready access to print have only been available for six hundred years. Whilst there is no doubt that reading to young children and exposure to books is a very positive learning experience nothing can take the place of direct instruction in decoding which is the core work of schools especially in the early years.

 

Pam maintains that the stakes are high. There is a window of opportunity in the first two years of schooling for children to become proficient in decoding. There is less than a 20% chance of children catching up if they are still not proficient in grade three. Without proper training in the teaching of reading teachers have proceeded with a low knowledge and high confidence approach. The reading process is complex. It is only in recent times that educators have become involved in reading research. Pleasingly some 12,000 students have completed reading programs at La Trobe. There is lots to be optimistic about because 90- 95% of students can learn to read with the proper instruction.

 

With the advent of AI, proficient reading skills are more important than ever. Low self confidence, underachievement and even crime can be the products of poor literacy skills. The reading process is a complex skill which can't be left to chance. Technological advances have created strong alternatives to reading. It is more important than ever for schools to adopt rigorous teaching models which build the foundations for reading.

 

As Pam suggested, skills come before thrills. Comprehension and enjoyment are only possible with a solid skill base. We thank Pam for her most thought provoking and engaging presentation.

 

- Jim