Languages and Literacies Research Group
The Languages and Literacies Research Group in the Faculty of Education engages in world-class research on the development of theoretical and practical applications to issues in language and literacy learning. Our programme of generative research, high-quality teaching, community and global partnerships positions us as leaders in language, literacy and learning in Australia and beyond.
As a group, we share concerns over the ways in which literacy can impact and empower individuals and communities. Our expertise spans across all age groups, from early years to adulthood, and includes first and second language acquisition and instruction, digital literacies, English as an Additional Language (EAL), community partnerships, creativity and language.
Given the dynamic and complex nature of literacy research, we use a range of research methods in our work. Some of these methods include reflexive inquiry into practice, ethnographies (including institutional ethnography), case study, narrative and dialogic inquiry, discourse analysis/critical discourse analysis, conversational analysis and practitioner inquiry.
Recent projects
Here are some examples of what we are working on.
Early Writing
Associate Professor Janet Scull
"Read like a Demon" program
Ms Kelly Carabott
Exploring students' perceptions and attitudes towards skill development at a university
Dr Anna Podorova
Improving refugee students' access to digital literacies: Integrating Transmedia Storytelling in an EAL (Year 7) classroom
Dr Katrina Tour and Dr Maria Gindidis
Pedagogical reform in doctoral training
Dr Lynette Pretorius
Collegial experiences in early career research
Dr Sue Wilson
Past projects
Here are some examples of the work we've done:
- Extended professional learning programs with primary teachers to engage students as confident writers
- ‘Read Like a Demon’ partnership between Melbourne Football Club (MFC) and Monash University supporting primary students’ reading
- Literacy and secondary EAL short courses tailored to specific educator needs
- Improving refugee students’ access to digital literacies: integrating transmedia storytelling in EAL classrooms
- Vietnam National University/Monash Teacher Education Partnership around research capacity building and proficiency development in English language
teaching - Supporting the development of early literacy programs for Indigenous students in the Kimberley, WA.
- Language alternation in bilingual and language programmes
- Catering for learning needs of English as an Additional Language students from refugee backgrounds in the Science classroom
- Increasing Japanese language use in a whole school bilingual programme in Australia
- Investigating policies, international student identity, and EAL and STEM teacher positioning on student language needs in the International Student Programme
- Developing recommendations to alleviate international EAL HDR students’ concerns about their children’s English and L1 language needs
Work with us
With a strong background in teacher education, we welcome new partnership opportunities with interested stakeholders.
Please email any of our Group Leaders for any additional information or ideas to stimulate collaboration and communication:
Group members
- Dr Melissa Barnes
- Dr Gary Bonar
- Dr David Bright
- Dr Scott Bulfin
- Ms Kelly Carabott
- Dr Denise Chapman
- Dr Raqib Chowdhury
- Dr Ed Creely
- Dr Kim Anh Dang
- Dr Fleur Diamond
- Dr Julie Faulkner
- Assoc. Prof. Anna Filipi
- Dr Anne Keary
- Professor Alexander Kostogriz
- Dr Damien Lyons (Group Leader)
- Assoc. Prof. Graham Parr
- Dr Anna Podorova
- Dr Lynette Pretorius
- Dr Jennifer Rennie (Group Leader)
- Dr Sarah Rutherford
- Assoc. Prof. Janet Scull (Group Leader)
- Dr Katrina Tour
- Assoc. Prof. Marianne Turner
- Mr Brad Wilke
- Dr Sue Wilson (Group Leader)