Standardized literacy assessments that place emphasis on testing and attainment of results have caused many students, particularly in middle years schooling to be disenfranchised by literacy teaching and learning practices. This study employed an action research methodology to investigate whether an outdoor learning experience in a Year 7/8…

Current research suggests that students who struggle with grammar, spelling, mechanics and other "problems of ability," as well as students who suffer from "problems of engagement," as well as those students who see reading and writing as a chore, can benefit from creative writing assignments and learn to enjoy reading and…

The most reported outcome of programs for teaching English in Indigenous schools in Australia is that there continues to be a significant gap in the level of attainment of English language and literacy between Indigenous students as a group and other Australian students (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), 2008a,…

Examines three surveys of writing in Australian schools, based on the model used by the British Schools Council Project ("The Written Language of 11-18 Year Olds"). (RL)

This book contains insights into the writer's craft by 17 leading novelists from Australia and New Zealand. The Novelists were asked ten questions that covered the following topics: what the novel form can uniquely accomplish, the scope of the modern novel in comparison to earlier novel forms, the genesis of their own novels, special problems…

The purpose of this study was to carry out a longitudinal study of the direct effects of traditional and transformational English grammar on children's writing skills. The investigation was conducted entirely in one large, coeducational high school on the outskirts of Auckland, Australia, beginning with the third form and ending with the sixth…

A study documenting and describing dialogue journal writing in a group of nine tenth graders in an Australian secondary school English class is reported. The overall purpose was to understand the nature of dialogue journal writing and to assess its value as a suitable mode of encouraging writing among secondary students. Specific aspects of…

Reflecting changes in Australian education which in some instances have led to the eradication of "English" from the timetables, this book stresses the idea that what happens in the schools is more important to the language learning of the students than what happens in the English classroom. The teacher's concern should be the context…

Describes the educational trend being debated in the United States and its effect on English instruction there and in Australia. (RL)

Outlines the achievements and the difficulties that occurred in the first year of a research project on the development of writing abilities in the senior years of western Australian high schools. (RL)

Describes Australia's first bilingual program for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Students use Australian Sign Language for face-to-face communication and English for reading and writing. Discusses the phases that occur as students progress within the early stages of reading, writing, and spelling. (CR)

The Australian term "fair dinkum" (meaning genuine, true, or real) in the title emphasizes the book's intention of providing thoughts and reflections on how to enhance the art and science of English teaching. Focusing on literacy, the book deals with action research or teaching theories that may suggest other strategies and further field…