The teaching of literacy in the primary school

Abstract

This study attempts to probe current practices in the teaching of English literacy, particularly reading in year 2 classes ( 6-7 year olds) in state, church and private independent schools. The aim of this work is to analyse the provision and process of the teaching of English literacy and the role of class teachers and the senior management team in this regard. Through formal questionnaire surveys, interviews and classroom observation details about the current practices in the teaching of English literacy are collated. Local projects aimed at increasing awareness and providing support to literacy are described. The main :findings are that heads of schools through management and organization are making different attempts to improve the teaching of English Literacy. Furthermore, the educators' beliefs and practices in the teaching of English literacy in year 2 classes are more noticeable for their similarities than their differences. The differences are in the intensity of emphasis in the approaches being used. From classroom observation it could be noted that a range of schools are implementing what can be described as classroom effective practices.