Our expert team at the University of Canterbury offers innovative and internationally leading PLD Structured Literacy Teaching for supporting students in years 7 – 10 who have additional learning needs.

Why choose BSLA | University of Canterbury?

Our team have deep expertise and have extensively researched the most effective ways to deliver PLD through the use of latest technologies.
Our recent evaluations from thousands of teachers around New Zealand who have engaged in our Better Start Literacy Approach through online learning are outstanding.
Learn with our country’s leading research experts in dyslexia, phonological awareness and language learning difficulties.
Gain in-depth teaching experience implementing high quality evidence-based lesson plans that have proven effective through controlled research trials here in New Zealand.
Engage in interactive discussions and forums while learning with your colleagues.
Access in-depth learning materials to advance your knowledge and expertise including access to high quality teaching demonstrations filmed within our New Zealand schools.
Enhance your culturally responsive teaching practices in structured literacy teaching.
Gain a University of Canterbury postgraduate UCOnline certificate in structured literacy (30 points). This can be credited to a UC Online Postgraduate Diploma or Masters Degree in Structured literacy teaching (first postgraduate degree of its type in New Zealand!)*

Who is the PLD for?

Our high quality PLD Targeted and Tailored Years 7 – 10 is for teachers who are focused on supporting students who have underlying phonological and language processing challenges that influence their reading, spelling and writing abilities, including students with dyslexia. The PLD will also support students who have significant gaps in their foundational literacy skills. It will support teachers to rapidly accelerate students reading spelling and writing skills.

We also refer teachers to our Specialist Teaching Structured Literacy Teaching PLD course for supporting students who have complex communication and learning needs such as students with autism, cerebral palsy, cognitive impairments, band other diagnosed complex disorders.

Teachers will advance their linguistic knowledge and gain deep expertise in supporting learners with language learning difficulties including dyslexia. The lesson plans teachers will implement with their students in the practicum have proven effective in rapidly accelerating students’ literacy skills within our New Zealand education context.

We are happy to announce that a self-funding option is now available and is $3250 +GST per teacher. Select the self-funding option in the checkout questions.

What you will experience

This is a 12-month professional learning and development course. It begins in Term 3 2026 and will finish at the end of Term 2 2027.

You can select from either a fully online learning experience or a blend of online learning and face to face workshops

You will engage in 5 days of workshops

July:

Online: 24 July on zoom for all participants from 9am -3.00pm

Online interactive workshop is for everyone enrolled. Meet Professor Gail Gillon, Professor John Everatt Dr Lisa Furlong and Dr Andy Vosslabmber. Meet your colleagues and set up for an interactive learning experience.

Then your choice of 2 days of in-person or livestreamed workshops

Please be aware that the workshop dates below are subject to numbers. Once registrations have closed numbers have been confirmed, more information will be sent out.

August:

Christchurch: 13-14 August at the Novotel Christchurch Airport Hotel. This workshop will be livestreamed and recorded.

Auckland: 17-18 August at the Cordis Hotel

Wellington: 20-21 August at the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor

Workshops Day 2 and Day 3 Dates: Interactive practice focused workshop

Focus: Dyslexia reading and spelling and interactive practice.

November:

Again, your choice of 2 days of in-person or livestreamed workshops
Wellington: 5-6 November at the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor

Christchurch: 11-12 November at the Novotel Christchurch Airport Hotel. This workshop will be livestreamed and recorded.
Auckland: 16-17 November at the Cordis Hotel

Workshop Day 4 and Day 5 Dates: Interactive practice focused workshop.

Focus Language – oral language and writing.

Communities of practice

Dates to be set- 8 one-hour sessions that are live zoom and recorded.

Coaching and mentoring- practicum

Practicum- Each teacher will implement 20 hours of targeted and tailored teacher with a selected students using evidence-based lesson plans with fidelity. The teaching may be implemented in either a small group (with up to 3 other students engaged in the lessons) or individual lesson.

Teachers will be supported via online coaching and mentoring (some in person visits may also be possible depending on location).

Teachers will also have ongoing access throughout the course to high quality online course materials interactive forums, video teaching demonstrations, video tutorials. This enables teachers to work at their own pace- revisit learning modules or rewatch teaching video demonstrations to refresh their knowledge. They will engage in interactive learning materials for continuous advancement of knowledge and skills throughout the 12-month course.

Please visit our website for more information

Contact the host of BSLA | University of Canterbury, Targeted SLA with a focus on Writing Year 7-10 PLD: Cohort 2