Oral language importance: Associate Professor Pamela Snow delivers the keynote speech at the 5th Brunei English Language Teachers’ Association Conference.

Associate Professor Pamela Snow, was the keynote speaker at 5^th Brunei English Language Teachers’ Association International Conference in November.

Pam’s speech was based on her research entitled “Oral Language Supports Early Literacy: A Pilot Cluster Randomised Trial in Disadvantaged Schools”.

She outlined some of the key drivers of early language competence – parental position on the social gradient, early language experience, exposure to written text and shared book-time at home, and neurodevelopmental disorders that can compromise early language development.

Pam highlighted the need for evidence-based early literacy instruction, encompassing the use of teaching approaches that are strongly informed by research linking early language skills to emergent literacy.

The association is sponsored and supported by several embassies and agencies, including the Australian Department of Education and the Australian Trade Commission.

The conference saw 14 paper presentations and workshops, highlighting issues of literacy and was attended by more than 100 participants.

Associate Professor Snow holds a conjoint appointment with the Department of Pyschiatry and the School of Rural Health, and is based in Bendigo. Follow her on her blog The Snow Report or Twitter @PamelaSnow2.

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