EDF5828 English in the early years

This unit develops your understanding of early literacy development and the teaching of English. It considers the diversity of children’s literacy learning experiences at home, in the community and in their early childhood learning settings and the first years of primary school. You are required to appreciate the importance of respecting cultural and linguistic diversity, and how this can provide a foundation for fostering effective literacy teaching and learning. Contemporary research literature will be explored in order to develop knowledge of English and literacy development and teaching theories, concepts and considerations, including supporting bilingualism and multilingualism in the early years. Oral language, reading, viewing, writing, drawing, multiliteracies and digital technologies will be unpacked separately, then, in acknowledgement of their cohesive nature, will be engaged with together, with a view to developing a literacy learning program that incorporates authentic assessment and differentiation. The teaching of phonics and grammar will also be explored, with links to the Victorian curriculum and EYLF documentation. The unit links theory and practice using authentic examples and case studies, and requires you to draw upon your lived experiences to develop pedagogical understandings. You are encouraged to be aware of theory in practice, and will be given opportunities to discern how theoretical underpinnings influence literacy development, which you can put into practice when observing or participating in interactions with early literacy learners.