Teacher assistants are invaluable on the educational journey, especially in primary education. They play a critical role in supporting literacy and helping learners develop writing skills. Despite this, there is often a lack of access to specialised professional development for teacher assistants that would empower them even more in this work.
The How to Teach Writing, Spelling and Grammar (HTTWSG) course is a top-quality opportunity for teacher assistants to upskill. In this blog, we’ll discuss how investing in professional development, specifically HTTWSG, can benefit both teacher assistants and learners.
The role of teacher assistants in developing student literacy
Teacher assistants play a crucial role in classrooms across Australia. Often working directly with learners to reinforce lessons, they answer questions and provide personalised attention. When it comes to literacy, teacher assistants are instrumental in helping learners grasp foundational concepts. Whether it’s about vocabulary, sentence structure, spelling or grammar, the support from teacher assistants is vital. By honing these skills early on, learners are better prepared to succeed across subjects.
Despite their important role, many teacher assistants don’t receive specific training in writing instruction. This is why courses like HTTWSG are so impactful, equipping educators with the latest insights into how to support learners effectively. Through professional development, teacher assistants establish a solid foundation for nurturing students’ love of learning and building their confidence in their writing abilities.
The many benefits of training teacher assistants in writing instruction
Discover best practice in teaching literacy with this effective training for education support staff. The HTTWSG course is structured to give teacher assistants comprehensive insights into the mechanics and pedagogy of writing. Developed by literacy specialists Dr Helen Walls and Dr Christine Braid, this accessible, self-paced course offers valuable tools for teacher assistants.
Here are some key benefits of this training.
- Enhancing understanding of core writing principles: The course introduces The Simple View of Writing, a research-based framework that simplifies the writing process by breaking it down into teachable components.
- Connecting handwriting, spelling and writing quality: Teacher assistants will learn how these foundational skills interrelate, so they can guide learners in building stronger overall literacy.
- Teaching vocabulary and sentence structure: Participants explore best practices for vocabulary and sentence instruction that equip them with diverse ways to enrich learners’ language skills.
- Integrating writing across the curriculum: This online professional development course provides guidance on how to incorporate writing into other subject areas. Teacher assistants can support learners to understand the relevance of writing and literacy in all aspects of learning.
Using these strategies, teacher assistants can add greater depth to their interactions with learners and bridge literacy gaps. With the knowledge they gain from this professional development course, they can inspire learners to reach their full potential.
How Essential Resources courses support teacher assistants in building student writing skills
The HTTWSG course offers a tailored approach to professional development. It focuses on the writing and literacy skills that are essential in today’s classrooms. Its flexible format allows teacher assistants to study five modules (in total 3.5 hours) over twelve months, making it highly manageable for working professionals. After completing the course, participants receive a certificate of completion. They also get a copy of the popular book How to Teach Writing, Spelling and Grammar, which they can continue to refer to and share with their teaching teams. Expert in the field Professor James Chapman has noted this valuable resource offers “practices for developing a writing programme that is both effective and engaging for students”. For more details, read Professor Chapman’s review.
Additionally, the course format encourages assistants to engage with both theoretical and practical aspects of literacy instruction. This prepares them to make immediate, effective changes in their daily teaching practices. By investing in this course, schools can support professional growth and ultimately improve student outcomes in literacy.
Reasons for investing in professional development for teacher assistants
Providing teacher assistants with specialised training is a win-win for schools and learners alike. As assistants become more skilled in writing instruction, they’re able to make a greater impact on student learning and engagement. Learners who once struggled with writing and spelling can begin to develop proficiency. By modelling sophisticated language use and encouraging creativity, assistants can also help more advanced writers reach new heights.
When teacher assistants are empowered with the right tools and strategies, they can bring a wealth of support to their classrooms. By assisting teachers to create an inclusive, dynamic learning environment where everyone feels valued, they can help every student to succeed.
Take the next step in professional development for teacher assistants
Purchasing courses like How to Teach Writing, Spelling and Grammar is an investment in the future of education. This professional development opportunity gives teacher assistants the tools they need to become leaders in literacy support. The expert-led education supports staff to help learners achieve and exceed their writing goals.
Are you ready to empower your school’s teacher assistants and make a lasting impact on student literacy? Enrol today to unlock the potential of teacher assistants and give learners the writing support they deserve.
Conclusions about teacher assistant professional development
Professional development programmes play a vital role in enhancing writing instruction across educational settings. Online professional development courses in literacy support encourage best practice for teaching writing, spelling and grammar. By taking up ongoing professional learning opportunities, teacher assistants can strengthen their skills and support students’ writing development more effectively.
Well-designed training programmes enable education support staff to contribute meaningfully to improved literacy outcomes. Following the guidance of Dr Helen Walls and Dr Christine Braid, teacher assistants can provide learners with exceptional literacy support. For information on more professional development courses, check out our website.