Module: Literacy Education in the Early Years

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Literacy Education in the Early Years
Module Code	EDP1073 (ITS: ED1021)
Faculty	Language, Literacy & ECE	School	DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	2.5

Description

Students will critically examine current issues and international research on best practice in literacy. They will identify and critically evaluate the key components of literacy teaching in the primary school. There is a focus on developing a range of essential literacy skills within authentic contexts in developmentally appropriate ways. Within workshops students will have the opportunity to explore a range of pedagogies with particular emphasis on the integrated nature of language learning and to develop knowledge of a range of assessment tools.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically examine current issues, curricula, national and international research on best practice in literacy.
2. Conceptualise a broad definition of literacy drawing on national and international research.
3. Reflect on and interrogate their literacy histories.
4. Identify and critically evaluate the key components of effective literacy instruction.
5. Identify, develop and assess essential literacy skills including: phonological awareness, phonics, comprehension, receptive and expressive language skills.
6. Employ a range of pedagogies with particular emphasis on the integrated nature of language learning.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lecture, Workshop; Placement; Independent Learning
Lecture	12	Literacy 1 hour weekly
Workshop	12	One hour weekly
Total Workload: 48

Section Breakdown
CRN	20283	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Patti Roche	Module Teacher	Eithne Kennedy, Tara Concannon-Gibney

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Formal Examination	Answer 4 out of 6 questions.	100%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

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Indicative Reading List

Books:

Concannon-Gibney, T.: 2018, Teaching Essential Literacy Skills in the Early Years: A Guide for teachers and students., Routledge, Oxon, UK,
NCCA: 2019, Primary Language Curriculum, NCCA, Dublin,

Articles:

Gill, S. & Islam, C.: 2011, Shared reading goes high-tech, The Reading Teacher, 65 (3), 224-2,

Other Resources

None