A new report by the vice-chancellor of one of Australia’s leading universities – the University of Sydney – has recommended an overhaul of how teachers are trained to teach reading.

students-working-with-teacherHe points out the lack of emphasis on phonics. Many teaching courses, the report says, present phonics as one of many options – as if phonics were a philosophy, rather than a fact.

“Doctors don’t have a belief in penicillin, penicillin works. Phonics works, full stop,” the vice chancellor has said.

For more on this, read the full article: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/editorials/teachers-need-practical-skills-to-teach-reading/story-e6frg71x-1227175360607

Sarah Forrest is a Literacy Specialist at the Easyread System, an online course for children with reading difficulties, dyslexia, auditory processing weakness and more. Get a free 10-day trial at www.easyreadsystem.com