Reg. Charity No. 1107219
Company No. 5273829
www.readingquest.org.uk
Reading Quest
incorporating Numeracy Quest
The Old Music Hall
106-108 Cowley Road
Oxford OX4 1JE
Director: Jayne Lacny, MA, Cert Mgmt (Open)
Tel: 01865 403208
Email: training@readingquest.org.uk
*Literacy Seminar Special*
Being bilingual in the classroom
Details of seminar:
Reading Quest in association with the Centre for Literacy and Multilingualism is delighted to
bring together academics from the universities of Reading and Oxford for this Literacy
Seminar Special on the topic of bilingualism. As a literacy charity, we are exploring how best
to work with EAL learners and we are also aware of the different approaches in primary
schools. This seminar will delve into the latest theory and research in order to explore how
best support pupils.
Please note: We hope to run a second seminar in the autumn with different specialists which
will be a follow up looking at hands-on practical ways to help pupils with English as a second
or third language.
Information about the seminar:
The trainers say: At the end of this event, you will have a thorough understanding of theory
and research on language and literacy development, with a particular focus on working with
EAL learners. Since we do not have teaching experience, the aim of the session is not to
give you practical advice on how to teach EAL learners. However, the event will be attended
by a large number of teachers and there will be time for you to share your insights on the
implications of the research for practice. As a result of these discussions with colleagues, we
hope that you will be able to interpret this knowledge in relation to your own future practice.
Date/Time: Thursday June 5, 2014 from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Please arrive by 9.15am for
refreshments.
Location: The Department of Education, University of Oxford, 15 Norham Gardens, Oxford,
OX2 6PY
Audience: Primary school teachers, Literacy Co-ordinators and HLTAs
Reg. Charity No. 1107219
Company No. 5273829
www.readingquest.org.uk
Contributors:
 Professor Jason Rothman (University of Reading)
 Professor Theo Marinis (University of Reading)
 Dr Jessie Ricketts (University of Reading)
 Dr Victoria Murphy (University of Oxford)
Timetable:
9.15-9.30 Arrivals and refreshments
9.30-9.45 Introduction: (Professor Jason Rothman, Reading University)
• What does it mean to be bilingual?
• Who are bilinguals?
• Bilingual=bicultural=biliterate?
• The facts about bilingualism: benefits and realities
• Issues in raising and educating bilinguals
• Introduction to Bilingualism Matters
9.45-10.30 (Professor Theo Marinis, Reading University)
• Theoretical approaches to understanding grammatical development
• Grammatical development in primary school children with EAL
• Differences between comprehension and production of grammar
• How does exposure to English affect grammatical development
• Assessing grammatical development using sentence imitation
10.30-11.15 (Dr Jessie Ricketts, Reading University)
• Theoretical approaches to understanding reading development
• The relationship between oral language (including vocabulary) and reading
• Assessing vocabulary and reading using standardised assessments
• Approaches to intervention/support for children with reading difficulties
11.15-11.30
Break
11.30-12.15 (Dr Victoria Murphy, University of Oxford)
• Productive and academic vocabulary
• The importance of vocabulary for EAL learners
• Reading development in EAL learners
• Challenges for EAL learners and improving their outcomes
12.15-12.30: Summing up and questions
Cost: £65 per delegate. Booking form is attached