The essays collected here span 20 years of Courtney Cazden's research on written language and its acquisition.

Early Reading Instruction is a comprehensive analysis of the research evidence from early writing systems to computer models of reading. In this book, Diane McGuinness provides an innovative solution to the "reading war"—the century-old debate over the efficacy of phonics (sound-based) versus whole-word (meaning- based) methods. She has developed a prototype—a set of elements that are critical to the success of a reading method. McGuinness shows that all writing systems, without exception, are based on a sound unit in the language. This fact, and other findings by paleographers, provides a platform for the prototype. Other elements of the prototype are based on modern research. For example, observational studies in the classroom show that time spent on three activities strongly predicts reading success: learning phoneme/symbol correspondences, practice at blending and segmenting phonemes in words, and copying/writing words, phrases, and sentences. Most so-called literacy activities have no effect, and some, like sight word memorization, have a strongly negative effect. The National Reading Panel (2000) summarized the research on reading methods after screening out thousands of studies that failed to meet minimum scientific standards. In an in-depth analysis of this evidence, McGuinness shows that the most successful methods (children reading a year or more above age norms) include all the elements in the prototype. Finally, she argues, because phonics-type methods are consistently shown to be superior to whole-word methods in studies dating back to the 1960s, it makes no sense to continue this line of research. The most urgent question for future research is how to get the most effective phonics programs into the classroom.

The essays collected here span 20 years of Courtney Cazden's research on written language and its acquisition. Dr Cazden re-unites language arts that have become divided by conflicts between advocates of whole language and advocates of more direct instruction. She explains her commitment to the fundamental principles of whole languages, while also examining its practical limitations for many learners. While Dr Cazden would in no way advocate a return to ""back-to-basics"" fragmentation of language, she concludes that simple immersion in a rich literacy environment is not enough. Two major themes govern the book: as people learn to read and write, they need deliberate help to focus on specific features of written language and attend to parts as well as wholes; and because a multiplicity of literacies exist within and among cultures, learners also need help in understanding cultural and situational contexts of written language forms. ""Whole Language"" classrooms are examined from New Zealand as well as the United States, Discussion of a wide range of relevant literature, and above all the grounding of every essay in Cazden's own varied teaching and research experiences should make ""Whole language Plus"" fascinating and lively reading. Each chapter has its own afterword and foreword, newly written for this book, which provide background and fresh viewpoints gained through the perspective of time. ""Whole Language Plus"" should appeal to a wide range of readers: all those interested in language arts and English education, K-adult education, including pre- and in-service teachers, students, professors, curriculum planners/ and administrators.

This vivid collection explores the fascinating connections between language use, language learning, and one's cultural identity. The essays, many of them by well-known writers, represent a diversity of cultures, ages, and nationalities, making the wide range of viewpoints they present both entertaining and instructional. In a time when issues of cultural identity are constantly explored and hotly debated, this volume illuminates the dynamic interaction between the personal, the political, and the theoretical. It is an essential read in a multicultural world.

How do we learn to produce and comprehend speech? How does language relate to thought? This second edition of the successful text Psycholinguistics- Language, Mind and World considers the psychology of language as it relates to learning, mind and brain as well as various aspects of society and culture. Current issues and research topics are presented in an in-depth manner, although little or no specific knowledge of any topic is presupposed. The book is divided into four main parts: First Language Learning Second Language Learning Language, Mind and Brain Mental Grammar and Language Processing These four sections include chapters covering areas such as- deaf language education, first language acquisition and first language reading, second language acquisition, language teaching and the problems of bilingualism. Updated throughout, this new edition also considers and proposes new theories in psycholinguistics and linguistics, and introduces a new theory of grammar, Natural Grammar, which is the only current grammar that is based on the primacy of the psycholinguistic process of speech comprehension, derives speech production from that process. Written in an accessible and fluent style, Psycholinguistics- Language, Mind and World will be of interest to students, lecturers and researchers from linguistics, psychology, philosophy and second language teaching.

Being literate in the twenty-first century means being an empowered receiver, user and creator of diverse text types communicated across multiple and rapidly changing modalities. English and Literacies: Learning to make meaning in primary classrooms is an accessible resource that introduces pre-service teachers to the many facets of literacies and English education for primary students. Addressing the requirements of the Australian Curriculum and the Early Years Learning Framework, English and Literacies explores how students develop oracy and literacy. Reading, viewing and writing are discussed alongside the importance of children's literature. Taking an inclusive and positive approach to teaching and learning for all students, it explores the creation of texts using spelling, grammar in context and handwriting/keyboarding skills, as well as the need for authentic assessment and reporting. Finally, the text explores the importance of literacy partnerships and how teachers can address literacy challenges across the curriculum.