AREA OF LEARNING

The Northern Ireland Curriculum emphasises the development of skills and capabilities for lifelong learning, and highlights the centrality of communication skills. “Language and literacy are fundamental pre-requisites for thinking and learning and interacting in personal, social and work contexts throughout life.”

“Literacy focuses on developing each child’s ability to understand and use language as an integral part of learning in all areas in order to interact effectively with the world around them, to express themselves creatively and to communicate confidently using the four modes of language – talking, listening, reading and writing.”

(NI Curriculum, 2007)

The SEELB Literacy Team provides advice, guidance and support for schools in all areas related to literacy.
Priority is given to schools which:
• require post inspection follow up
• are involved in the Raising Achievement in Literacy/English programme
• have identified literacy as the main focus in their School Development Plan.

In preparation for the Northern Ireland Literacy Strategy, an action plan and programme of training has been agreed at regional level.
This includes:
• training and support for recently appointed Literacy Co-ordinators and Heads of English
• a programme of further professional development for Literacy Co-ordinators and Heads of English
• training and support for Linguistic Phonics
• training and support for Reading Partnership.

The Literacy Team also provides advice and support on integrating approaches to the teaching of literacy across all areas of learning. Materials and resources are continually being developed to help teachers deliver across all four modes of language, i.e. Talking Listening, Reading and Writing.

Courses on Reading and Writing are provided for Beginning Teachers at Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The post primary officer provides support for Beginning Teachers of English in post primary schools.