New Zealand educators sell out literacy symposium

Teachers and educators attended a sold-out literacy symposium last week focused on connecting research and practical teaching applications.

Over 650 participants across the two cities came to listen to keynote speakers Dr Anita Archer, a US educational consultant, Dr Carolyn Strom, an NYU clinical professor and reading specialist, and Sarah Asome, principal of Bentleigh West Primary School, which won the 2023 Victorian Education Excellence Award for “Outstanding Inclusion Education.”  

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The event was organised by New Zealand literacy education consultants group Learning Matters. Founder Carla McNeil has advocated for structured literacy in New Zealand, and says the symposium will help teachers prepare for compulsory structured literacy in 2025. 

“The discussions [sic] explore what must be done to cultivate the literacy landscape and support educators, and ultimately improve literacy outcomes for all ākonga. 

“We know that when children are literate they are being set up for success in all areas of their lives. It’s in the best of interests of not only our children but in the interests of NZ that all tamariki have the right to receive and benefit from evidence-based literacy education.”  

At the Auckland event, Dr Carolyn Strom spoke on the neurocognitive processes behind how children learn to read. Sarah Asome followed with a session on how her school implements effective teaching practices to deliver strong outcomes for children of all abilities and needs. Finally, Dr Anita Archer presented on using direct instruction.  

One participant said there were “so many practical learnings to take back to the classroom, and I love the link between research and practical applications.  

“Every person who’s spoken has come with such knowledge, understanding, real classroom experience.” 

Another participant, a resource teacher of learning and behaviour in Auckland, said that the event provided good refreshment training, and the international speakers brought a global outlook to New Zealand practice.  

“Our role is providing support, so we need this type of refreshment training to provide the best evidence-based practice support.  

“We need to put students at the centre, and I can teach these practical strategies to other teachers.”  

In her closing address at the Auckland event, Minister of Education Erica Stanford thanked the principals in the room for attending the event.  

“My goal and vision is that the science of learning is at the heart of everything we do… The science of learning and structured literacy is embedded into the curriculum. 

“We’re probably the first country in the world that will have structured literacy in every school.  

“I know this time next year… we will start to see the results turn around.”