View and Download: Save the Date District PL 2026 – Semester One coming soon
Please contact the WestCoast.LDC.OutreachTeam@education.wa.edu.au for any more information.
Professional Learning available
Key Language Leadership
The Key Language Leadership course consists of six days of professional learning with a focus on developing participants’ knowledge of oral language and literacy skills (linked to disorder and impairment) along with building their capacity to take on a leadership role within the school. Participants learn to assess and analyse language and are provided with practical strategies for addressing identified needs through differentiation. The series has a strong action-learning component, there is an expectation that participants will undertake additional reading and trial activities between sessions. The training also encourages participants to reflect on their teaching practice, develop their leadership and mentoring skills and establish networks. Opportunities to identify plan and report on a school-based initiative will be provided throughout the series, which is aimed at developing the leadership skills of participants.
The six days of training include the following modules:
- Change Management in Schools, Intro to Oral Language Development & Comprehension.
- Intro to Literature Based Units & Narrative Macrostructure analysis & macrostructure teaching.
- Narrative Microstructure Analysis, Syntax & Grammar Instruction.
- Semantics, Vocabulary and LBU Wrap Up, Into to phonological and phonemic awareness.
- Structured Synthetic Phonics: The Early and Complex Codes.
- Polysyllabic Words, Morphology; Literacy Assessments; End of course wrap up
Each of the modules includes theory, strategies, and resources. There will be opportunities to reflect on current practice and commence planning for teaching and learning programs to suit diverse learning environments, including ideas for classroom organisation. Schools that decide to access the Course will nominate a language leader/s to attend the sessions. Schools with at least one staff member currently enrolled in the Key Language Leadership course or who have completed the course in the previous year are eligible to access Priority 1 services.
Key Language Leadership FlyerAssessment Tools
Based on the student program assessment practices adapted for mainstream.
Kindergarten Assessment Tool (K.A.T.)
The K.A.T. is a criterion referenced assessment tool designed to ensure oral language development is maximised. The purpose is to provide teachers with baseline data in oral language and emergent literacy skills of Kindergarten students. The K.A.T. is aligned with the Kindergarten Curriculum Guidelines, the Early Years Framework and back-mapped from The Australian Curriculum (ACARA) Pre-Primary Achievement Standard Statements.
The KAT Package consists of several common assessment tasks based on tools used within the Centre that have been adapted and trialled within mainstream school settings. Some tasks are designed for all students and others target students that may be at risk. To assist judgements, ages and stages information is included for teacher reference.
Individual subtests of the KAT can be used strategically and systematically by teachers across the school year according to the needs of the class. There is flexibility in when subtests are administered and in the order of subtests selected. The Subtests unpacked are: Comprehension (Blank Screen), Semantics (Vocabulary), Locational Relationships (Prepositions), Social / Emotional, Concepts of Print & Reading, Play & Social Skills, Oral Narrative, Phonological Awareness and Grammar (Syntax).
PLEASE NOTE: The K.A.T. package can only be purchased after attending 1 full day of training at the West Coast LDC. All courses are advertised on the Professional Learning Information System (PLIS).
Download fact sheets about Kindergarten Assessment Tool Information sessions
KAT Information Flyer – Full DayLiterature Based Unit
This is a full day professional learning session that looks at the importance of literature and stories in building language and literacy skills. It will provide activities to address aspects of language including, vocabulary, grammar, phonological awareness, narrative and writing in an integrated way. The Literature Based Unit professional learning will be available as a District PL for all schools. It is only available as an in school PL for Priority 1 schools.
LBU Information Flyer