Foundations of Primary English
PostgraduateTAS-EMT5112026
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 14 weeks
- Start dates
- 23 Feb 2026
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Foundations of Primary English
About this subject
Upon successful completion of this subject, the student should be able to:
- Apply theoretical knowledge about the English discipline which attends to structured literacy in the Lifting Literacy Strategy.
- Understand that reading instruction must attend to how the brain learns to read through systematic and explicit teaching practices for the following elements: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and oral language.
- Design a sequence of lessons which deliver effective reading instruction that attends to how the brain learns to read through systematic and explicit teaching practices for the following elements: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and oral language.
- What is primary English? Learners, curriculum, and systematic reading instruction
- Oral language as the foundation for reading and writing
- How the brain learns to read: Foundations for effective reading instruction
- Models of reading and the Big 6 of reading instruction
- Phonics, etymology and orthographic knowledge in reading and spelling
- Fluency and comprehension
- The literacy block: Structured, explicit instruction in the early years
- High impact teaching of reading and writing: Structured literacy in practice
- Diagnostic assessment in structured literacy
- Multi-tiered support in evidence-based reading instruction
- Differentiation and explicit instruction for struggling readers
This subject has a focus on contemporary approaches to the teaching of reading, including close attention to the teaching of phonemic awareness, phonics, word knowledge, and vocabulary instruction and reading comprehension of a wide range of texts. An emphasis of study will also be on teaching children writing, with a close study of text types and grammar. Throughout the subject there is also a strong focus on the pedagogical imperatives underpinning the English curriculum including explicit teaching, assessing student learning progress and catering for diverse learners. You will learn to apply this knowledge by developing a portfolio of lesson plans in reading and writing.
- Design a sequence of reading lessons (40%)
- Vignette of practice – evaluation and reflection (40%)
- Phonic Knowledge Assessment (20%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Wherever you are, the University of Tasmania brings its island campus to you through a growing range of online programs across art and design, business, education, health, science, sustainability, technology, and more.
Learn more about University of Tasmania
Explore University of Tasmania courses
- QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:
- 20
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:
- 14
Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- TAS-EDC-MAS-2026 - Master of Teaching (Primary)
Prior study
You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or enrol in the following subject(s) to study at the same time or prior to this subject:
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Teaching Arrangement: You are expected to dedicate around ten hours per week to this subject. This may be divided as follows: Weekly Lecture (1 hour); Weekly Readings (2 hours); Weekly Tutorial (2 hours); Weekly Discussion Boards (1 hour); Assessment (5 hours). Your progress in this subject depends on your engagement with weekly online tutorials and discussion boards.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
PostgraduateTAS-EDC-MAS