On the Teaching of English and Children’s Reading: A Roundtable

English has always been at the centre of debates about language, learning and culture. In the last decade and more, there has been a tendency to restrict its scope, with a strong emphasis on the teaching of 'skills'.

Are we now seeing a new enrichment of the subject - or should we expect more of the same? This event will explore recent curriculum developments, especially in relation to children's reading.

Professor Michael Rosen will speak as a children's author, and a constant commentator on the versions of English advocated by governments and some sections of the policy community.

Farrah Serroukh (Centre for Literacy in Primary Education) will comment on the ‘Reflecting Realities Report' and the place of children's literature/books.in the teaching of literacy and children's reading in primary schools.

Andrew McCallum (English and Media Centre) will respond to the way that English, and particularly reading, are presented in the government's Review of Curriculum and Assessment.

Professor Anna Traianou and Dr Sarah Pearce will draw from the NEU-funded research report 'Are you on Slide 8 Yet?', which looks at teachers' experience of standardised curricula.

Our two research centres (CISJ, CLCL) share a research interest in culture, policy and learning. We hope the joint event will help support a robust and well-informed response to new policy developments.

3rd of December 2025, DTH, 5.30-7.00 pm. This is a hybrid event, both in person and online.