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25 February 2025


Better Start Literacy Approach (BSLA) is an integrated classroom literacy programme. The approach is based on years of research trials investigating the most efficient, effective methods to support success in children’s reading, spelling, writing, and oral language development.

Founded at the University of Canterbury, BSLA provides structured literacy professional development to teachers all over New Zealand.
 

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Teacher PLD
Background

  

The Better Start Literacy Approach is an example of a structured literacy teaching approach. Professor Gail Gillon and Professor Brigid McNeill led the development of this approach through a series of controlled research trials. This development was supported by a team of researchers and practitioners  across the disciplines of education, psychology, speech-language therapy. Leaders in Māori and Pacific education as well as community indigenous (Māori) leaders influenced its development to ensure culturally responsive teaching practices are embedded within the approach.

Data indicating the effectiveness of this approach for children aged 5-7 years led to a national implementation of the approach. A team of researchers and practitioners have contributed to the extension of the approach across the primary school years.

Gail Gillon profile picture
Professor Gail Gillon
Director, Professor of Literacy Research

Professor Gail Gillon, PhD, FRSNZ, FASHA, (Ngāi Tahu iwi) is the founding director of the Child Well-Being Research Institute, University of Canterbury. Prof Gillon is the Director of the national implementation of PLD in BSLA structure literacy teaching for teachers and literacy specialists in Years 0- 8.

Professor Gillon has extensive leadership experience in education. She is the currently New Zealand’s National UNESCO Commissioner for Education and formerly she has held positions as Pro-Vice Chancellor for the College of Education and Dean of Education at the University of Canterbury.

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Strengths-Based

BSLA is a comprehensive approach set within a strengths-based and inclusive framework. It includes novel online monitoring assessments, quality teaching resources, lesson plans and activities, and activities to engage children’s whānau (family) in their children’s learning.  

Quality Teaching Resources

 

BSLA includes structured and explicit teaching in the areas of oral language, reading and writing. We have developed over 900 lesson plans for teaching children in new entrant classes (e.g., 5-year-olds) through to the end of primary schools years (e.g., 12-year-olds).

We have evidence-based lesson plans to support children who have word reading difficulties such as dyslexia.

We  have adapted teaching activities to ensure their suitability for children with complex communication and learning needs.

Our data from thousands of children around New Zealand indicate that our teachers and literacy specialists are successfully implementing BSLA in ways that are accelerating children’s oral language, reading and writing skills. 

BSLA shop
Key Features

Key features of the Better Start Literacy Approach, its effectiveness and its development are presented by Better Start Literacy Approach developers Professor Gail Gillon and Professor Brigid McNeill in this introductory video (8 minutes). The video focuses on BSLA implemented in the junior schools years (Years 0–3). It was filmed in 2024.

Development
 

The development of BSLA has been an iterative process. The early controlled research trials proving its effectiveness were from 2015-2019, funded through the Better Start National Science Challenge and the Ministry of Education Early Literacy Initiative.

Lead Researchers: Professor Gail Gillon and Professor Brigid McNeill led the development of BSLA. They were supported from its inception in 2015 by the late Professor Angus Hikairo Macfarlane (Professor of Māori Research).

A large team of people have contributed to its development and national implementation over time including the following:

Researchers: University of Canterbury: Dr Amy Scott, Dr Lisa Furlong, Dr Andy Vosslamber, Associate Professor Alison Arrow, Dr Megan Gath, Dr Mark Lavenia, Dr Jude Bautista, Dr Anne McIntyre.  Massey University, Auckland: Associate Professor Sally Clendon. Griffith University, Australia: Associate Professor Marleen Westerveld.

BSLA Educators: Nicole Plummer, Catherine Fairhall, Dr Jo Walker, Amy Fleming, Rachael Roberston, Rebecca Kerr, Rebecca Lindsay Marie Shipston and Kate Cook.

Literacy specialists and class teachers: We acknowledge the helpful feedback from teachers and literacy specialists across the country who have trialled lesson plans during development phases and provided feedback on teaching activities.

BSLA Advisory Group: The BSLA has been supported by an expert Advisory Group. Research and science advice from: Distinguished Professor Bill Tunmer, Distinguished Professor Laura Justice, Professor James Chapman, Professor Ilsa Schwarz. Cultural advice from: Lynne Harata Te Aika (Ngāi Tahu) and Dr Tufulasi Taleni.