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Targeted and Tailored PLD

26 June 2025

Empower Literacy Success: Expert Training in Tier 2 & 3 Structured Literacy Interventions
Build the skills and confidence to deliver effective, evidence-based support for learners who need it most through our comprehensive targeted and tailored professional learning and development.

HOW TO APPLY
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Our PLD model

Our PLD builds on the proven success of the Better Start Literacy Approach (BSLA), supporting educators to deliver structured literacy effectively at all tiers—Tier 1 (universal classroom instruction), as well as Tier 2 and Tier 3 (targeted small-group and individualised support). Our model empowers teachers and literacy specialists to implement evidence-based interventions that accelerate progress for learners who are experiencing literacy challenges.

Uniquely designed for Aotearoa New Zealand’s educational and cultural context, the PLD is grounded in the science of learning and integrates the core principles of structured literacy. Its design and delivery are underpinned by robust research, ensuring practical relevance and measurable impact in the classroom.

The approach is embedded within an inclusive, strengths-based, and culturally responsive Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), aligned with the Ministry of Education’s Te Tūāpapa o He Pikorua framework. This enables educators to notice, recognise, and respond effectively to the diverse needs of learners with literacy difficulties.

Our Tier 2 (Targeted) and Tier 3 (Tailored) structured literacy PLD includes five full-day workshops and eight Community of Practice sessions, delivered over a 12-month period to support sustained implementation and ongoing professional growth.

Effectiveness of our PLD

Our Professional Learning and Development (PLD) approach is transforming literacy outcomes for Tier 2 learners across New Zealand.

Grounded in the Better Start Literacy Approach (BSLA), our structured literacy teaching has been nationally implemented with remarkable success. A recent study published in Topics in Language Disorders evaluated the impact of this Tier 2 intervention on 1,265 five-year-old children. The findings revealed that students receiving Tier 2 support outperformed their reading-matched peers in both reading and spelling assessments. Moreover, their performance was on par with peers who had stronger initial reading skills, demonstrating the efficacy of timely and targeted instruction. 

This large-scale implementation underscores the critical role of comprehensive PLD and resource allocation in delivering evidence-based literacy practices effectively. By equipping educators with the necessary tools and knowledge, our approach ensures that every child has the opportunity to achieve literacy success.

PLD Delivery Details

Our blended delivery model offers high-quality professional learning across four school terms, combining interactive workshops, Communities of Practice, and individualised coaching and mentoring to ensure meaningful and sustained impact.

The first intake begins in Term 3, 2025, and runs through to Term 2, 2026.

Workshops will be held in Christchurch, Auckland, and Wellington, and are designed in line with best practices for effective PLD. These engaging, hands-on sessions provide participants with the opportunity to work directly with our expert team, strengthening both knowledge and practical application in supporting Tier 2 and Tier 3 learners to achieve literacy success.

Throughout the programme, coaching and mentoring offer tailored guidance and feedback to help educators refine and enhance their teaching practice. Our experienced facilitators provide ongoing support to ensure confident, evidence-based implementation of structured literacy strategies.

Access to quality resources, lesson plans and assessments

Enrol in our Structured Literacy PLD course and gain full access to a comprehensive suite of expertly crafted teaching and assessment tools — everything you need to deliver evidence-based literacy instruction with confidence.

What’s included:

  • Step-by-Step Lesson Plans & Teaching Resources
    Simplify implementation with clear, practical lesson plans and accompanying resources that save time and support consistent, high-quality delivery.

  • Engaging, Skill-Building Activities
    Accelerate student progress with interactive activities designed to build essential foundational skills for effective word reading — all while keeping learners motivated and engaged.

  • Extensive Video Library of Real Classroom Practice
    Learn from the best with high-quality video exemplars showcasing structured literacy in action in New Zealand classrooms.

  • Exclusive Access to the BSLA Online Assessment Platform
    Use valid, reliable, and easy-to-administer literacy assessments, purpose-built for the New Zealand context, to inform and strengthen your teaching.

  • Game-Based Learning App for Young Learners
    Support students aged 5–8 with our newly developed app, designed to make learning phonics, phoneme awareness, word reading, and spelling both effective and fun.

These powerful resources are designed to help educators confidently deliver tailored instruction, particularly for Tier 2 and Tier 3 learners, while ensuring that every teaching moment is backed by evidence and best practice.

 

Structured Literacy Teaching Qualification 

Successful completion of the PLD course leads to a Certificate of Proficiency in Effective Interventions in BSLA Structured Literacy, awarded by the University of Canterbury. This 30-point postgraduate-level qualification can be credited towards further study, including a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Education, or a Master of Education.


PLD Course Requirements  

Our programme meets both Ministry of Education funding criteria and University of Canterbury academic standards. To complete the course, participants are expected to:

Core Participation:

  • Attend 5 full-day workshops with a our team of expert facilitators, either online or in-person.

  • Participate in 8 Communities of Practice.

  • Engage in coaching and mentoring with our expert team.

To receive the Certificate of Proficiency:

  • Complete 4 self-paced online course modules focused on effective strategies for Tier 2 and 3 learners.

  • Submit pre- and post-PLD surveys reflecting growth in linguistic knowledge and instructional confidence.

  • Complete 1 short online quiz based on course content.

  • Undertake 2 practicum activities, demonstrating assessment and teaching practices for learners with literacy support needs.

 

Our PLD Team

Our PLD programme is led by a team of internationally recognised experts in structured literacy instruction. Professors Gail Gillon, Brigid McNeill, John Everatt, and Laurie McLay (University of Canterbury), together with Associate Professor Sally Clendon (Massey University), are globally respected for their contributions to the fields of literacy development, dyslexia interventions, phonological awareness, Autism, and evidence-based teaching practices.

Complementing this leadership, Dr Amy Scott, Dr Lisa Furlong, and Dr Mark LaVenia bring specialised expertise in supporting learners with additional learning needs and delivering high-impact professional development.

Together, our team’s extensive knowledge and active research ensure that the professional learning we provide is grounded in the latest scientific evidence. Educators gain the skills, confidence, and tools needed to implement effective, high-quality structured literacy instruction that truly makes a difference for all learners.

Meet our experienced team