10. Resisting the temptation to “get on with teaching”

While it might seem to take a lot of time to work through the survey with each learner, the information you gather about learners’ literacy practices, experiences and attitudes is critical to being able to plan and implement an effective teaching and learning programme.

As well as guiding your next steps, the information from the initial survey will help shape the kinds of language and literacy experiences you plan for learners: the contexts you select when you want learners to apply the reading knowledge and skills you teach.

In most cases, learners will need explicit teaching of specific skills and knowledge followed by plenty of opportunity to practise. They are more likely to want to read when they have a clear and meaningful purpose for reading and the texts match their interests.

Next 11. Factors that affect learning