PGCE English and Literacy in Education

Question 1

What does 'reading for pleasure' mean as a pedagogical priority in UK schools?

Accepted Answer

Fostering intrinsic motivation to read widely and frequently, linked to broader academic and personal outcomes

Answer

Reading for pleasure means developing pupils' intrinsic desire to read across a range of genres and purposes, which research links to vocabulary, empathy, wellbeing and academic achievement.

Question 2

What is 'synthetic phonics' and why is it the mandated approach for early reading in England?

Accepted Answer

An approach that teaches pupils to blend individual letter sounds (phonemes) to decode words

Answer

Synthetic phonics teaches pupils to decode words by blending the individual sounds (phonemes) that letters or letter combinations represent, and is mandated in England following the Rose Review (2006).

Question 3

What does the term 'oracy' refer to in education?

Accepted Answer

The skills of listening and speaking for a range of purposes and audiences

Answer

Oracy encompasses the full range of speaking and listening skills - discussion, debate, presentation, questioning, and active listening - which are increasingly recognised as essential for learning and life.

Question 4

What is a 'tier 2 vocabulary word' in Beck, McKeown and Kucan's vocabulary framework?

Accepted Answer

A high-utility academic word that appears across many subjects and contexts (e.g. 'analyse', 'significant', 'contrast')

Answer

Tier 2 words are high-frequency academic words that cross subject boundaries and are essential for academic reading and writing but are rarely taught explicitly - making them a priority for vocabulary instruction.

Question 5

What is a 'reading aloud' strategy used by teachers to support comprehension?

Accepted Answer

The teacher reading a text aloud expressively, modelling fluency, vocabulary and comprehension strategies

Answer

Teacher read-alouds model fluent, expressive reading and provide a shared text for comprehension discussion, benefiting vocabulary, listening comprehension and love of literature.

PGCE Practice Test

PGCE Practice Test

PGCE English and Literacy in Education