Literacy | Australian Education Research Organisation

Resource collections (2)

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Resource collection

School writing instruction framework

AERO has developed a School Writing Instruction Framework (SWIF) to support school leaders and teachers in delivering evidence-based writing instruction to students across all subject areas in upper primary and secondary.

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Resource collection

Writing fundamentals

AERO has developed a series of resources for primary and secondary school leaders and teachers in all year levels and subject areas to support explicit writing instruction in the classroom.

Guides & resources (10+)

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Writing paragraphs

This practice guide will help teachers and school leaders understand different paragraph types. It’s part of a suite of resources designed to support explicit writing instruction in the classroom. It can be used in conjunction with AERO’s guides on simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences and sentence combining.

Practice resource

AERO's writing instruction model

This model introduces an approach to teaching writing that is explicit and systematic, and that can be used in all subject areas that require students to write. AERO’s School Writing Instruction Framework (SWIF) professional learning courses align with and support the implementation of this model.

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Practice resource

Leading writing instruction in your school

Students' ability to write – and write well – across subjects is important for their success at school. This practice resource will help school leaders lead an approach to strengthening writing instruction at their schools, using AERO’s School Writing Instruction professional learning courses.

Research (10)

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Learning English while learning the curriculum

This project investigated how long it takes Australian students learning English as an additional language (EAL) to develop the level of English required to equitably participate in curriculum learning.

A teacher sitting at a low desk with several primary school students helping them with writing

Research report

How long it takes to learn English while learning the curriculum

This report presents research into how long it takes students in New South Wales government schools learning English as an additional language to develop the level of English required to equitably participate in curriculum learning.

High school student sitting at desk with teacher discussing work.

Research report

Peer mentoring for sharing skills and knowledge from professional learning: The importance of planning and support

This report discusses the findings of a study conducted by AERO and ALNF into the effectiveness of a peer mentoring approach for delivering professional learning to educators and teachers in early childhood education and care services.

Summaries & explainers (8)

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Research summary

How long it takes to learn English while learning the curriculum

This research summary describes an AERO research project that explored how long it takes Australian students learning English as an additional language (EAL) to develop the English language skills necessary to participate equitably in curriculum learning.

Research summary

Sharing professional learning via peer mentoring

This research summary provides an overview of a study on peer mentoring for professional learning conducted by AERO in partnership with ALNF.

Why some secondary students struggle with reading

This explainer outlines the evidence about why some secondary students struggle with reading. It’s the first part of a series of guidance created in partnership with DSF.

Other (7)

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Some students learning English can take at least 6 years to catch up to their peers. How can we support them better?

Our new research found it can take many years for students to develop the English language skills they need.

High school student sitting at desk with teacher discussing work.

Comparing learning models: Peer mentoring in early childhood education and care

Ongoing professional learning is an important part of ECEC, and quality outcomes for children depend on a highly skilled workforce. AERO and ALNF have conducted an experimental study in the ECEC sector, comparing the effectiveness of a peer mentoring approach to a direct participation approach for professional learning.

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Celebrating (and supporting) Australian science teachers

National Science Week provides an opportunity to celebrate the invaluable contributions of science teachers across Australia. This article highlights AERO's commitment to supporting science education through evidence-based resources and initiatives. We'll explore the unique challenges faced by science teachers, highlight our existing science-focused materials and unveil our latest project aimed at enhancing science writing.