English and Literacy in Education Flashcards
6 cards from real PGCE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 English and Literacy in Education flashcards as text
What is 'reading fluency' and why does it matter for comprehension?
Answer: The ability to read accurately, at an appropriate pace, with expression - freeing cognitive resources for comprehension
Fluent readers decode automatically, freeing working memory to focus on meaning; non-fluent readers use so much cognitive effort on decoding that comprehension suffers.
What does the acronym SPAG stand for in UK primary and secondary assessment?
Answer: Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar
SPAG (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) is assessed in the KS2 SATs and the GCSE English Language exams, reflecting the emphasis on technical accuracy in writing.
What is 'whole class shared reading' as a teaching approach?
Answer: The teacher and whole class reading and discussing a shared text together, with the teacher supporting active comprehension
Shared reading involves teacher and class engaging with the same text together, with the teacher modelling comprehension strategies, vocabulary inference and critical response.
Why might a secondary school introduce a 'whole-school reading spine'?
Answer: To provide a sequenced set of shared texts that build cultural capital and vocabulary across year groups
A reading spine ensures all pupils access a rich, diverse canon of texts that build vocabulary, cultural capital and literary knowledge in a planned progression through the school.
What is the 'Simple View of Reading' and what does it suggest about reading instruction?
Answer: Reading comprehension is the product of two components: word recognition (decoding) and language comprehension - both must be taught
The Simple View of Reading (Gough and Tunmer, 1986) shows that reading comprehension equals decoding multiplied by language comprehension - both are necessary and neither alone is sufficient.
What does 'dialogic teaching' mean in the context of developing literacy and thinking?
Answer: Using purposeful talk and discussion as a central tool for learning, where pupils build on each other contributions
Dialogic teaching (Robin Alexander) uses purposeful, structured dialogue between teacher and pupils and among pupils to develop reasoning, understanding and oracy.