Introduction.

English as a learning curriculum area.

As mentioned in the Australian curriculum, English is as a learning area is the starting point for learning
literacy. The study of English is central to the learning of young children across Australia. The study of English
gives children the skills they need to learn how to read and write, and important literacy skills needed to
further education and gain employment in the future.
The English Curriculum is broken up into three strands of language, literature
and literacy.
How can we teach English as a curriculum?
As early childhood educators we can teach English as a curriculum in many ways. One of the main ways
educators teach the first component of English (Language) to young children is through communication. As
educators we can role model the use of English and how to form complete correct sentences. Children
hearing language in turn encourages them to use language. To teach the concepts of Literature and Literacy,
educators engage in story time, reading stories and encouraging important pre writing skills through fine
motor experiences.
 Teaching literacy.
The Early Years Learning Framework or better known as the EYLF describes literacy as: being literate is the capacity,
confidence and disposition to use language in all its forms through written, oral, visual and auditory.
The EYLF outcome 5.2 Children engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from these texts is achieved when educators
read and share a range of books and other texts with children.
A great way that we as early childhood educators can teach literacy to young children of preschool age is to read stories.
Reading with children from a young age helps build a solid foundation for learning literacy. While reading stories with
preschool aged children, pause while reading to ask questions about the story for example: “what did the character do on
this page” to ensure children not only listen to the story but comprehend what they have heard.
Extending on from listening to a story, educators can set up many play-based experiences to further develop literacy skills.
One example I have used in my preschool setting is to create a puppet show using characters from a book that the children
enjoy reading. Children can act out pages from the stories and narrate the scenes themselves.
As mentioned in the EYLF outcome 5.3 Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media, children
demonstrate this outcome when they use language, sounds, gestures and movement to engage in play to imagine and create
roles, scripts and ideas.
 The difference between teaching
literacy and teaching English.
• While the curriculum of English and Literacy may seem to be the same, there are
many differences to teaching literacy and teaching English.
• When teaching English we study how we use the language and how we
communicate in different ways. We teach how to interpret the literacy. Without
English, we would not understand and be able to use English in literacy
effectively.
• Literacy is a branch of the English curriculum. Literacy is the foundation for the
learning of reading, writing and speaking. Teaching literacy to children is not just
teaching children how to write, it begins with early literacy skills such as pre
writing skills. Pre writing skills begin with fine motor skills such as drawing and
playdough.
 Conclusion
• This marks the end of my presentation on teaching English and
literacy.
• I would like to thank you for listening to my presentation.