Better Start Literacy Approach

The Better Start Literacy Approach (BSLA) is an evidence-based framework for facilitating early literacy success in young tamariki. Successful implementation of the BSLA requires literacy professionals skilled in supporting kaiako and kura to implement the assessment and teaching through a coaching and mentoring model.

Suitable professionals include Resource Teachers for Literacy, Resource Teachers for Learning and Behaviour, Speech Language Therapists or other literacy specialists.

Completion of this course will provide participants with all the skills and resources required to lead the implementation of the BSLA in their chosen kura, kāhui ako or cluster.

Literacy leads must partner with two to three teachers of Years 0-8 in order to complete the requirements of the training. Partner schools must be declared at the time of registration.

More information available here.

Effective literacy teaching in a child’s first year at school can set them on a pathway to later academic and life success. The Better Start Literacy Approach incorporates the best practices for literacy teaching in phonological awareness, letter sound knowledge and oral language, with small group reading using a systematic reading series.

This course provides a practice-focused learning experience of evidence-based literacy instruction to ensure success for all early learners. Extensive coaching and mentoring support will be provided through a partnership with a BSLA Literacy Lead (formerly known as a Facilitator) in your community.

The short course includes access to online, self-directed learning covering all aspects of the approach. In addition, teachers will gain access to the approach’s online assessment and teaching materials, including resources and lesson plans for classroom and small group reading teaching using the Ready to Read – Phonics Plus early readers.

Any teacher wanting to complete this course must be partnered with a new or previously trained Literacy Lead (Facilitator), whose name must be declared at the time of registration.

More information available here.

Supporting classroom teachers to implement high quality, evidence-based literacy teaching is part of an important role played by teacher aides. This course provides all the knowledge required to support the assessment and implementation of the Better Start Literacy Approach in classrooms.

Teacher aides must be partnered with a teacher who is currently enrolled in (or has previously completed) the BSLA Teacher microcredential course, and this must be declared at the time of enrolment.

The BSLA Teacher Aide microcredential course is not funded by the Ministry of Education, but undertaking the course would provide excellent support to the class teachers implementing the BSLA, and is an outstanding professional learning opportunity for teacher aides.

Cost

Cost is $320* per person (includes course fee, access to all BSLA online resources, lesson plans, game activities, and assessments). Please note this fee does not cover the cost of a resource kete or oral language transcription and analysis for additional students beyond those allocated to the funded teacher/s the Teacher Aide is partnered with. More information is available here.

*subject to change.

Enrolments

Details to be confirmed. Email for more information.