The Handbook of Primary English in Initial Teacher Education
Teresa Cremin & Henrietta Dombey
The Handbook offers both new and experienced lecturers and tutors on PGCE, BA (QTS), SCITT and GTP programmes a wealth of information and ideas combining theory and practice for practical classroom activities for student teachers. Covering the broad range of topics that make up an effective teacher education programme in primary English, the contributors are all authorities on their subjects with substantial experience of teacher education.
The book emerged from the English Subject Resource network, funded by the TDA and created by a consortium from UKLA, NATE (National Association of Teachers of English) and Canterbury Christ Church University.
Published by NATE/UKLA
ISBN-10: 978 1 897638 37 1
Format: Paperback
Published in 2007
Reader reviews
It’s sad, but true, to report that this book was one of my ‘holiday reads’ over the summer. As a tutor, new to Initial Teacher Education, the book was invaluable in signposting the most relevant and recent research into many of the aspects required for Undergraduate and Postgraduate ITT English courses. Whilst being able to draw on 20 years of primary practice the thought of being able to rapidly skill myself up on the key theorists over a 4-week holiday was extremely daunting. However, help was definitely at hand.
The book, is an extension of the UKLA’s website http://www.ite.org, which offers guidance to tutors new to the teaching of English in Initial Teacher Education. Contributions from Neil Mercer, Lynn Dawes, Olivia O’Sullivan, Teresa Cremin and Jackie Marsh allows you to feel that you are in very safe hands. Each chapter gives an overview of what the contributor feels are the key aspects that teaching students need to know, together with a range of suggested activities for engaging students in discussion and debate. The bibliography for each chapter was especially useful as whilst the chapter alone helped in outlining the general themes, the further reading allowed a sense that the reader was drawing on the contributor’s extensive knowledge and this was a real strength of the book. Some chapters offered an interesting overview of current issues i.e. assessment and English but they were not as immediately useful as other sections i.e. Speaking & Listening at KS2 and Making Language Diversity Matter.
Whilst the book is primarily aimed at those new to ITE, more experienced tutors and practitioners will also find it useful in reminding themselves of the range of research and theorists that eminent colleagues draw on, together with some, maybe, new untried activities. This is a highly recommended book that allows the new lecturer to feel that the plethora of research into the teaching of English is that little easier to navigate through.
Liz Chamberlain, Senior Lecturer
University of Winchester
I once needed some land clearing and thought goats might help. So I bought a handbook on keeping goats. It cost £5 and it was £5 well spent as it made the whole idea of goats sound horrendous; I bought a sit-on mower instead. The Handbook of Primary English in Initial Teacher Education edited by Teresa Cremin and Henrietta Dombey has the completely opposite effect. Read it and you want to work in this fascinating subject area in ITT. The handbook lives up to its blurb which describes it as ‘accessible, informed and practical’ and it gives a comprehensive overview of current issues for teacher educators concerned with primary literacy teaching.
Clear chapter headings make it accessible as does is a helpful chronology to the book. It begins with a chapter on speaking and listening in the Foundation Stage. The second chapter looks at literacy in the early years and this is followed with chapters on speaking and listening, reading and writing at Key Stage 2. Subsequent chapters concentrate on areas of current interest such as drama, ICT, popular culture, diversity, SEN and the book ends with two chapters on assessment. The inclusion of a glossary and index would I feel have been a useful addition particularly for colleagues new to this area of ITT to help with understanding of key terminology and navigation within the book.
The handbook is certainly informative with contributions from key figures in their particular field. Eve Bearne writing about writing, Nikki Gamble on children’s literature, Jackie Marsh on popular culture and Kathy Hall about assessment are just some of the distinguished contributors and the brief biographies of all contributors in the front of the book clearly establish their credentials. We are also given addresses, telephone numbers and website links to key organisations in the field of literacy education. A real strength of the book for teacher educators is that theory is clearly linked to practice with most chapters containing stimulating ideas and activities for the primary classroom.
Keeping up to date in such a rapidly changing area of education is obviously a difficulty for this kind of text which is very much painting a picture of where we are now. There is no mention of the simple view of reading for example. However, the English Subject Resource Network from which the book emerged links the text to its website http://www.ite.org which is constantly being updated. Without doubt, the Handbook of Primary English in Initial Teacher Education does what it says on the cover offering both new and experienced tutors in ITT ‘a wealth of information and ideas’.
Arthur Shenton
Price: £15.00
UKLA Members' price: £12.00