Recognising the fundamental role of language in teaching and learning.
The Language and Literacy in Education Network (LLEN) is an alliance of educators and researchers who share a commitment to strengthening teachers’ and students’ understanding of how language works to make meaning and, in the process, improving the literacy and learning outcomes for all students.
We aim to provide an authoritative source of information for teachers, school executive and policy-makers regarding the teaching of language to mainstream and EAL/D learners from the early years through to secondary and further education.
Our membership includes internationally recognised experts in the field of language education along with master practitioners who are exemplary in their application of a functional approach in educational contexts.
By drawing on research-informed knowledge about language and pedagogy, we work closely with teachers to empower students to succeed academically and to participate effectively in a variety of social contexts.
Beyond our work with teachers, we aim:
to raise the profile of language in education and its role in improving literacy and learning outcomes for students;
to promote our work within education communities, sharing information and research around the teaching and learning of language in education from a functional perspective;
to be strategically active in having a voice in policy decisions, drawing on decades of expertise in the field of language and literacy;
to identify current research priorities and extend our research program to provide teachers with trustworthy information about language and how to teach it.
LLEN logo
Our logo represents a network: a community of teachers, researchers and teacher educators working together. The tripartite image is a nod to Halliday’s fondness for the ‘rule of three’: three phases of language development; three functions of language; three elements of the clause; and the adage of ‘learning language, learning through language and learning about language’.
The Expert Panel comprises distinguished leaders in the field of language and literacy education. Their role is to provide guidance and advice to LLEN committee convenors and members as needed, depending on their area of expertise.
Dr James Martin, Professor of Linguistics at the University of Sydney; Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities; awarded a Centenary Medal for his services to Linguistics and Philology; Director of Martin Centre for Appliable Linguistics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Dr Peter Freebody, Honorary Professorial Fellow at the University of Wollongong; advisor to numerous Australian State and Commonwealth literacy education and assessment advisory groups, including Senior Consultant to the Australian Curriculum: English; Life Member of PETAA; Recipient of The International Literacy Association's Research Panel’s WS Gray award for contributions to literacy education internationally.
Dr Jenny Donovan, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Education Research Organisation
Dr Robyn Cox, Professor of Literacy Education and Program Director BEd (Primary) at the University of Tasmania. Life Member of PETAA and a Fellow of ALEA.
Office bearers of literacy associations
Dr Katina Zammit, President of The Australian Literacy Educators’ Association (ALEA)
Dr Helen Adam, President of The Primary English Teaching Association of Australia (PETAA)
Dr Michael Michell, President of The Association for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ATESOL) NSW
International members
Dr Mary Schleppegrell, Professor Emerita, School of Education, University of Michigan
Dr Debra Myhill, Professor Emerita in Language and Literacy Education University of Exeter, President: United Kingdom Literacy Association
Dr Maria Brisk, Emeritus Professor, Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Boston College
Dr Ruslana Westerlund, Associate Adjunct Faculty, Bethel University, Graduate School of Education, St. Paul, Minnesota
Dr Gail Forey, Professor of Applied Linguistics, Department of Education and Associate Dean (Education), Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Bath, United Kingdom
Dr Emi Emilia, Professor of language and literacy education in Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung.