YSJ Events Curates: Language, Literacy and Learning to Read

This brand new series, YSJ Events Curates, launching in 2026, will bring memorable, insightful and interesting events to campus, devised and delivered by the YSJ Events Team.

Launching the series is Professor Maggie Snowling CBE, with a lecture titled 'Language, Literacy and Learning to Read'.

About the Lecture

Learning to read involves far more than the ability to sound out words; it depends on developing fluent reading with strong comprehension. Most research places considerable emphasis on phonics and alphabetic knowledge, yet recent research highlights the equally important role of oral language in reading curricula for supporting successful reading development.

In this presentation, Professor Maggie Snowling will draw on findings from a longitudinal study of children at high risk for reading difficulties. She will examine why early oral language skills are essential and how the early identification of language learning difficulties can make a difference through targeted educational interventions, which strengthen language skills and can significantly improve literacy outcomes for children.

About the Speaker

Maggie is Emeritus Professor of Psychology, University of Oxford, Professor of Psychology at York St. John University and Research Fellow, St. John’s College, Oxford. She is Fellow of the British Academy, Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and Honorary Fellow of British Psychological Society. She served as President of St. John’s College, Oxford 2012-2022. Since stepping down she has advised on the DFE’s Reading Framework 2 (2023), and is a member of the Speech, Language and Communication in the Early Years Expert Advisory Group (2025). In 2016 Maggie was appointed CBE for services to science and the understanding of dyslexia.

Events Access & Inclusivity

At York St John University we are committed to making our events as welcoming and inclusive for as many people as possible.

If you are planning to attend one of our events and have specific access requirements, including wheelchair access, then please contact us by e: events@yorksj.ac.uk or t: 01904 876318 and we will make every effort to accommodate you.

If you need a suitable seat reserved for you (and your companions), please let us know, preferably at least one week before the event. Sign language interpreters and real-time captioning may be requested in advance. Please contact us as soon as possible (ideally at least 3 weeks before the date of the event) if you require either BSL interpretation or captioning. We will try our best but cannot guarantee provision.

Parking

There is no parking for any vehicles on site and ANPR cameras are in operation 24/7.

We have a small number of Blue Badge spaces available, these spaces can only be used if guests have pre registered their number plates by emailing events@yorksj.ac.uk.

Registering your details does not guarantee a space, as they operate on a first come, first served basis. Please ensure your blude badge is displayed clearly in the vehicle.

Freedom of Speech

Freedom of speech within the law and academic freedom are core principles of our University and underpin our mission to foster intellectual curiosity, rigorous debate, and the pursuit of knowledge. Our staff / students / SU colleagues are entitled to express their ideas and views, providing they do not violate the law. The law rightly prohibits speech that incites violence, terrorism and hate, but does not prohibit speech that others may find upsetting or offensive.

As a University that embodies social justice, we expect people to treat each other with dignity and respect, but it is not our role to censor ways of thinking or stifle debate between those who hold opposing views.

We understand that it can be frustrating to face views and perspectives that do not reflect our inclusive ethos at York St John University. However, we will not take disciplinary action against staff or students for lawful expression of their views, regardless of petitions, media campaigns or other external pressures.

Privacy Policy

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