title: EAP

authors: Bruce, Ian

abstract: EAP is a discipline that is famously needs-driven, centrally focused on meeting the needs of students seeking to study or undertake research in English-medium university contexts. However, a significant lacuna in the theoretical and research literature of the field is a comprehensive understanding of practitioner need, specifically in relation to the knowledge base required both for EAP pedagogy and wider professional practice. In response to the questions posed for this symposium, this paper is a brief evaluation of the research streams that currently aim to inform the EAP practitioner knowledge base. My discussion is framed by a social realist theory of knowledge (Moore, 2013; Young, 2008, 2010). ‘Social realism’ distinguishes between knowledge and experience, theoretical and everyday knowledge, and it acknowledges that theoretical knowledge exists in particular domains or disciplines. As a basis for this brief review of the EAP practitioner knowledge base, I begin by defining the domain of EAP and proposing what I see as the overall goal of EAP courses.

text: EAP EAP is a discipline that is famously needs-driven, centrally focused on meeting the needs of students seeking to study or undertake research in English-medium university contexts. However, a significant lacuna in the theoretical and research literature of the field is a comprehensive understanding of practitioner need, specifically in relation to the knowledge base required both for EAP pedagogy and wider professional practice. In response to the questions posed for this symposium, this paper is a brief evaluation of the research streams that currently aim to inform the EAP practitioner knowledge base. My discussion is framed by a social realist theory of knowledge (Moore, 2013; Young, 2008, 2010). ‘Social realism’ distinguishes between knowledge and experience, theoretical and everyday knowledge, and it acknowledges that theoretical knowledge exists in particular domains or disciplines. As a basis for this brief review of the EAP practitioner knowledge base, I begin by defining the domain of EAP and proposing what I see as the overall goal of EAP courses.

year: 2017

title: Phonological awareness and alphabet knowledge in the acquisition of literacy skills

authors: Blaiklock, Kenneth E.

subjects: English language Acquisition

abstract: The nature of the relationship between phonological awareness and the acquisition of literacy was investigated in a longitudinal study of 29 children during their first two years at school. At the beginning of the study, when all children were nonreaders, syllable awareness was the strongest predictor of later word reading and spelling. During the first year, correlations from rhyme or alliteration awareness to later literacy were significant over intervals of two or three months. Correlations in the other direction, that is, from literacy to later rhyme or alliteration awareness were also significant over these periods. These results support the notion that early awareness of syllables, rhyme, and alliteration has a small facilitative effect on the first months of learning to read and spell, after which time a reciprocal relationship develops. Children were unable to score on both measures of phoneme awareness until after they could read a number of words. From half way through the first year, significant correlations were often found from phoneme awareness to later literacy. Correlations in the other direction, that is, from literacy to later phoneme awareness, were also significant. These results are consistent with phoneme awareness initially being a consequence of learning to read and write, and then having a reciprocal relationship with literacy. Controlling for verbal ability or phonological memory made little difference to the size of the correlations between measures of phonological awareness and literacy. Controlling for letter knowledge, however, often resulted in substantial reductions in the size of the correlations. Letter knowledge was frequently a strong predictor of later literacy. It is argued that letter knowledge has a central role in the development of literacy skills and in the relationship between phonological awareness and literacy.

text: Phonological awareness and alphabet knowledge in the acquisition of literacy skills The nature of the relationship between phonological awareness and the acquisition of literacy was investigated in a longitudinal study of 29 children during their first two years at school. At the beginning of the study, when all children were nonreaders, syllable awareness was the strongest predictor of later word reading and spelling. During the first year, correlations from rhyme or alliteration awareness to later literacy were significant over intervals of two or three months. Correlations in the other direction, that is, from literacy to later rhyme or alliteration awareness were also significant over these periods. These results support the notion that early awareness of syllables, rhyme, and alliteration has a small facilitative effect on the first months of learning to read and spell, after which time a reciprocal relationship develops. Children were unable to score on both measures of phoneme awareness until after they could read a number of words. From half way through the first year, significant correlations were often found from phoneme awareness to later literacy. Correlations in the other direction, that is, from literacy to later phoneme awareness, were also significant. These results are consistent with phoneme awareness initially being a consequence of learning to read and write, and then having a reciprocal relationship with literacy. Controlling for verbal ability or phonological memory made little difference to the size of the correlations between measures of phonological awareness and literacy. Controlling for letter knowledge, however, often resulted in substantial reductions in the size of the correlations. Letter knowledge was frequently a strong predictor of later literacy. It is argued that letter knowledge has a central role in the development of literacy skills and in the relationship between phonological awareness and literacy.

year: 1999

title: Evaluation of the Whānau Ora Wellbeing Service of Te Whakaruruhau: Final report

authors: Robertson, Neville

subjects: whānau ora

abstract: Domestic violence and child abuse represent significant threats to whānau ora. Conversely, the weakening or loss of whānau ties can increase the vulnerability of whānau members to domestic violence and child abuse. Thus enhancing whānau ora in the context of domestic violence and child abuse is both a high priority and a significant challenge.

Te Whakaruruhau Māori Women’s Refuge has been providing safe housing, support and advocacy to women and children for over two decades and has become a key agency in family violence networks in Kirikiriroa. The development of the Whānau Ora Wellbeing Service, the focus of this evaluation, was a logical extension of Refuge services.

The Māori and Psychology Research Unit was commissioned in mid‐2011 to conduct this evaluation. It is based on ten case studies of clients in the programme, interviews with Te Whakaruruhau staff and key informants in allied agencies, and participant‐observation of Refuge activities. The case studies provide insights into the lived experience of women dealing with violence, their attempts to protect themselves and their children, and their experiences of – and reflections upon – the Whānau Ora Wellbeing programme.

text: Evaluation of the Whānau Ora Wellbeing Service of Te Whakaruruhau: Final report Domestic violence and child abuse represent significant threats to whānau ora. Conversely, the weakening or loss of whānau ties can increase the vulnerability of whānau members to domestic violence and child abuse. Thus enhancing whānau ora in the context of domestic violence and child abuse is both a high priority and a significant challenge.

Te Whakaruruhau Māori Women’s Refuge has been providing safe housing, support and advocacy to women and children for over two decades and has become a key agency in family violence networks in Kirikiriroa. The development of the Whānau Ora Wellbeing Service, the focus of this evaluation, was a logical extension of Refuge services.

The Māori and Psychology Research Unit was commissioned in mid‐2011 to conduct this evaluation. It is based on ten case studies of clients in the programme, interviews with Te Whakaruruhau staff and key informants in allied agencies, and participant‐observation of Refuge activities. The case studies provide insights into the lived experience of women dealing with violence, their attempts to protect themselves and their children, and their experiences of – and reflections upon – the Whānau Ora Wellbeing programme.

year: 2013-07-20