Vancouver Island University's Faculty of Education

Course Descriptions

LLL 501 (3) Literacy Development Theory

Research-based theories of literacy development are explored, with particular attention to their application to learning in classrooms and in families. Topics include: oracy and literacy; cultural contexts of language learning; principles of text; phonemic and phonological awareness; decoding and encoding; language processing systems; diagnostic assessment of literacy development.

Prerequisite: Admission to the LLLGD program or department permission

LLL 502 (3) English Language Form and Structure: Reading

Linguistics theory and concepts are explored, in relation to reading process topics such as: phonetics, phonology, orthography, morphology, syntax, and semantics of the English language; pedagogical approaches and evidence-based practices for reading instruction; comparative linguistics in various Indigenous and foreign languages.

Prerequisite: Admission to the LLLGD program or department permission

LLL 503 (3) English Language Form and Structure: Writing

Writing and text creation theory and concepts are explored in relation to the writing process. Topics include: writing traits; writing genres; pedagogical approaches and evidence-based strategies for writing development; comparisons between English and other dialects or languages, with a focus on writing systems, writing conventions, and linguistic forms and functions.

Prerequisite: Admission to the LLLGD program or department permission

LLL 504 (3) Critical Literacy

An exploration of texts of different forms, genres, and intentions. Topics include: critical pedagogy; critical literacy; representation and bias in texts; cultural representation and multi-lingual texts; assessment and selection of texts; critical literacy perspectives across grade levels.

Prerequisite: Admission to the LLLGD program or department permission

LLL 505 (3) Neuro-typical and Neuro-diverse Literacy Learning

Evidence-based strategies for literacy instruction in inclusive classrooms. Topics include: neuroscientific studies of literacy and the brain; dyslexia, dysgraphia, auditory receptive/short term memory, and other text-based literacy challenges; reading interventions; writing interventions; diagnostic assessment practices; selecting and adapting resources for struggling readers; planning for literacy in inclusive classrooms.

Prerequisite: Admission to the LLLGD program or department permission

LLL 506 (3) Planning and Teaching with Children’s Literature and Texts

Pedagogical practices for selecting and engaging students with texts to support literacy development and achievement of learning outcomes at the pre-school, primary, and elementary level. Topics include: picture books and literacy; culturally inclusive texts; author studies; thematic unit planning with texts; poetry and song; informational reading and writing; narrative possibilities.

Prerequisite: Admission to the LLLGD program or department permission

LLL 507 (3) Planning and Teaching with Young Adult Texts

Pedagogical practices for selecting and engaging students with texts to support literacy development and achievement of learning outcomes at the middle school and secondary level. Topics include: engaging adolescent readers with text; culturally inclusive texts; comprehension and text accessibility; reading/writing connections for adolescents; literacy-based unit planning; novel studies; multi-literacies.

Prerequisite: Admission to the LLLGD program or department permission

 LLL 508 (3) Emergent Literacy

Theories and strategies of literacy learning for young children. Topics include: curriculum development for literacy rich classrooms, representation in texts for young children, emergent literacy theories and practices, phonological awareness theory and practices, reading development; writing development.

Prerequisite: Admission to the LLLGD program or department permission

LLL 509 (3) Second or Additional Language Acquisition

Theory and pedagogical practice in learning an additional language or dialect. Topics include: Indigenous language decline, loss, and revitalization; English as an additional language or dialect; inclusive pedagogy for multilingual learners; comparisons of first language and second or additional language acquisition.

Prerequisite: Admission to the LLLGD program or department permission

LLL 510 (3) Engagement in Literacy Learning

Concepts and practices in engaging students with multi-literacies, comprehension, and communication. Topics include: theories of motivation for learning; culturally connected literacy and language activities; frameworks for literacy instruction; classroom book clubs; writers’ cafes and publishing opportunities; literacy opportunities across the curriculum.

Prerequisite: Admission to the LLLGD program or department permission

LLL 511 (3) Language as Art

An exploration of literacy and language learning as a means of expression, transformation, connection, and imagining possibilities for more just and joyful living. Topics include: teaching text as experience of relationship, witnessing, and presence; teaching writing as voice, identity, and experimentation; fostering creativity as pathways for empathy, healing, and renewal.

Prerequisite: Admission to the LLLGD program or department permission

LLL 512 (3) Educational Technology for Literacy and Language Learning

An exploration of educational technologies and applications that foster literacy development. Topics include: evaluating and utilizing digital books; online tools for reading, writing, and text creation; assistive technology for literacy; language learning applications; current research on educational technologies for literacy.

Prerequisite: Admission to the LLLGD program or department permission

GDSE 692 (3) Individual Intervention Planning

An overview of evidence-based pedagogical perspectives for intervention planning of students with different learning needs. 

Prerequisite: Admission to the LLLGD program or department permission

GDSE 693 (3) Individual Assessment

An overview of principles of norm and criterion referenced assessment, including the administration and interpretation of Level B testing.

Prerequisite: Admission to the LLLGD program or department permission

LLL 513 (3) Leadership in Literacy, Language, and Learning

Leadership theory as applicable for school and system literacy and language programs. Topics include: engaging teachers and administrators in school-wide literacy and language programs; ministry and district literacy and language prioritization and planning; resources for effective literacy and language based professional development; assessment; reading and writing across the curriculum.

Prerequisite: Admission to the LLLGD program or department permission

LLL 514 (3) Special Topics in Literacy, Language, and Learning

Research and practice in specific, emerging literacy, language, and learning issues. Topics may include: Literacy, language, and learning for decolonization and reconciliation; culturally appropriate, place based approaches to literacy and language; sustainability and literacy education; multi-literacies; inclusive literacy, and language learning practices, Indigenous language learning.

Prerequisite: Admission to the LLLGD program or department permission