How do children learn to read and spell irregular words?
Explore how children learn to read and spell irregular words with experimental studies in primary schools. Investigate new methods to enhance literacy teaching supervised by Dr Signy Wegener.
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Project Description
Project Overview
This PhD project focuses on how children learn to read new words that do not follow phonics pronunciation rules. It is part of Dr Signy Wegener's Australian Research Council-funded DECRA Fellowship. The research involves experimental training studies conducted within primary school settings to explore children’s ability to learn irregular words.
What You Will Do
The successful candidate will design and conduct experimental training studies in primary schools. Research will focus on reading acquisition with irregular words, employing quantitative and experimental methods to shed new light on literacy education.
Expected Outcomes
The project will generate findings that help improve teaching approaches for irregular word reading and spelling, informing evidence-based literacy instruction tailored for Australian classrooms.
Why This Matters
Learning to read irregular words is vital for literacy development, yet challenging for children. This research addresses a major educational challenge by providing insights that can directly impact how reading and spelling are taught, leading to improved literacy outcomes and more inclusive educational practices in Australia.
Entry Requirements
How to Apply
Eligibility
Supervisor Profile
Dr Signy Wegener leads research on reading acquisition and literacy development, focusing on the cognitive processes underlying how children learn to read, especially irregular words. She holds an Australian Research Council DECRA Fellowship, conducting high-impact experimental studies within primary education settings. Her work contributes to evidence-based literacy interventions and teaching strategies.