Reading and Writing Centre - Department of Education Queensland

Back to school soon! It’s the perfect time to build routines around talking, reading, and explaining ideas. Try a quick ‘retell the day’ chat in the car or at dinner. Retelling who, what, where, when and why strengthens sequencing, vocabulary, and comprehension (Isbell et al. 2004).

Did you know the Reading Disorders- Language and Literacy Team offer professional learning to Queensland state school staff.

Check out our offerings: https://catalogue.qlearn.eq.edu.au/browse/education-futures-institute/programs/reading-and-writing-disorders

In Queensland, 19% of children start school at risk or vulnerable in the language and cognitive domain, which looks at early interests and skills in literacy, numeracy and memory (AEDC 2024).

Families, teachers and schools can make a big difference. See the Partners in Learning videos for practical ways you can support children’s early language and reading development - at home and at school. https://readingwritingcentre.education.qld.gov.au/resources

1.a. - Oral language development – supporting all learners This video provides some simple prompts and strategies adults can use to support the oral language development of all learners.

The Language and Literacy Team proudly launched the Assessment and Intervention (A&I) Service in Term 4, 2024. This centrally organised service aims to identify students with reading disorder and build capability in case management practices in rural and remote state schools.

So far, the A&I Service has taken us to 22 schools across 3 Queensland regions to work with over 100 students!

We look forward to continuing to support these students on their journey of improved reading achievement.

Transitioning from primary to high school can be especially hard for students with spoken and written language difficulties or disorders. Shared transition planning with clear communication between schools improves engagement and academic outcomes for students with learning difficulties (Hughes et al 2017).

Do you have a question about helping a student to improve their reading or writing?

The Reading and Writing Disorders Advisory Line is available Monday to Friday 8.30am–4.30pm.
Phone: (07) 3328 6950
Email: [email protected]

The Reading Disorders - Language and Literacy team provides a range of resources to enable educators, families, and home tutors to support children’s early development of language, reading and writing.
https://readingwritingcentre.education.qld.gov.au/resources

As we welcome 2026, the Reading Disorders - Language and Literacy Team is looking forward to another year of supporting Queensland schools to create strong, inclusive reading environments for every learner.

Here’s to collaborative partnerships, and the joy of seeing students grow in confidence as readers and communicators.

Wishing all our school communities a positive, purposeful and connected year ahead.

Did you know “Boxing Day” originally referred to the boxes that charities collected - and later, to the gifts given to postmen and employees on the first weekday after Christmas? (etymonline.com)

Today, it acts as a wonderful reminder that small acts of sharing, storytelling, and conversation are gifts in themselves. You can chat about holiday adventures, retell a favourite story, or explain a new idea. These little “language boxes” help children build vocabulary, comprehension, and connection long after the holidays have ended.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, all words were decoded, even ‘m-ou-se’!

This holiday, let’s celebrate the joy of talking, reading, and sharing stories with our families. Every conversation, question, and retell builds the language skills that light up learning all year long.

🎁 Happy holidays from the Reading Disorders - Language and Literacy team!

This year our Advisory line took over 760 inquiries about supporting students with persistent difficulties learning to read and write.

We are so pleased to be able to offer advice to students, parents and educators. To speak to someone about any questions you have please email us [email protected].

This year we have provided 94 professional learning events with over 4,800 participants attending!

Thank you to all our state school staff for your ongoing commitment to learning more about how to support our diverse learners with their reading and writing.

State school staff can check our Education Futures Institute Catalogue; our 2026 offerings will be updated as they are confirmed: https://catalogue.qlearn.eq.edu.au/browse/education-futures-institute/programs/reading-and-writing-disorders

When children begin school, formal teaching of reading and spelling begins. For a small number of students, learning these skills is more difficult than it is for others.

Explore easy to understand animations and infographics to find out more about dyslexia support strategies:
https://readingwritingcentre.education.qld.gov.au/reading-and-writing-disorders/dyslexia

How is dyslexia identified? Dyslexia is a language-based reading disorder that can make it hard for students to learn to read accurately and fluently and to spell. For more information ...