Tessa Daffern PhD
Director and Principal Education Consultant, Literacy Education Solutions
Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Canberra
Winner of UKLA Wiley Research in Literacy Education Award 2021
Literacy Projects
Dr Daffern’s current projects include:
- NESA NSW English Syllabus Reform: Writer, K-6 English Syllabus
- School-based Professional Learning Pathways (tailored workshop series)
- Research collaboration with University of Glasgow: Intervention study
“My research is driven by my passion for English language education and for empowering teachers and undergraduate teacher education students to develop contemporary understandings that can inform their teaching of language and literacy.”
Dr. Daffern
New Student Book: Spelling Out Words
Spelling Out Words is an essential reference workbook for students in Year 3 and above. Students can use this book to build a personalised repertoire of vocabulary and spelling knowledge. It is the perfect resource when learning the spelling and meanings of interesting, new or challenging words that students encounter when reading, learning about a topic and when writing across any subject.
Spelling Out Words comes with a free school-year subscription to a digital dashboard where teachers can print word analysis charts for students to use when analysing interesting, new or challenging words.
New Course
How to teach spelling: Primary years
Term 3 2023
This 4-part interactive course is aimed at teachers seeking to implement an evidence-based approach to teaching spelling in the primary school years.
Attendees will also be shown examples of how to address the requirements of the new Australian Curriculum: English and the NSW K-6 English syllabus when teaching spelling.
New Course
Explicitly teaching spelling conventions and strategies aligned with the new NSW English: 3 – 6 syllabus
In this workshop, Dr Tessa Daffern will outline the essential orthographic and morphological conventions to teach. She will also explain how these conventions can be integrated into the teaching of phonological strategies and etymology in ways that simultaneously expand and deepen students’ vocabulary knowledge.
Bonus: Each workshop participant receives a FREE copy of The Little Compendium of Standard English Spelling (valued at $70)
New Course
Explicitly teaching spelling and phonics aligned with the NSW English K-2 syllabus
In this workshop, Dr Tessa Daffern will provide examples of how to integrate explicit and systematic teaching of phonics with the phonological, orthographic and morphological components of spelling in the Early Years.
Bonus: Each workshop participant receives a FREE copy of The Little Compendium of Standard English Spelling (valued at $70)
The Components of Spelling Early Years Manual
The Components of Spelling Early Years: Instruction and Assessment for the Linguistic Inquirer is an evidence-based resource for early years classroom educators.
The Components of Spelling Manual
2nd Edition
The Components of Spelling: Instruction and Assessment for the Linguistic Inquirer is an evidence-based resource for primary and middle school classroom educators.
The Little Compendium of Standard English Spelling
A guide for teachers, parents and students (Australia, New Zealand & UK Edition)
Online Spelling Tests
The Components of Spelling Test: Online Platform provides busy teachers a reliable and complete analysis of students’ spelling errors and a detailed class report, designed to assist teachers to plan and deliver differentiated and systematic teaching of spelling.
Media
(Podcast)
NSW Department of Education
In conversation with Dr Tessa Daffern: Teaching spelling.
Primary Years Spelling Resources
Proficiency in spelling has a positive influence on overall writing competence, and general enjoyment and fluency in reading.
About Tessa
Dr Tessa Daffern has contributed to education in many capacities for over 20 years: as a classroom teacher in schools, teaching and learning specialist, literacy coordinator, academic and education consultant.
Tessa is currently a Director and Principal Literacy Education Consultant at Literacy Education Solutions. Tessa is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Canberra and has previously held academic positions at the University of Wollongong, University of Canberra and Charles Sturt University. Tessa’s research is driven by her passion for English language education and for empowering teachers and undergraduate teacher education students to develop contemporary understandings that can inform their teaching of language and literacy. Tessa’s PhD examined the teaching and learning of spelling and writing in Australian school contexts and involved almost 1400 students across 17 schools.
In 2017, Tessa was the recipient of the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association Doctoral Thesis Award. Tessa’s research has been disseminated through publications in national and international peer reviewed journals and edited books, and at national and international conferences. Prior to her career in academia, Tessa received a Recognition of Excellence Award by the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Catholic Education Office for her contributions and achievements, and in 2012 Tessa become one of the first Australian educators to become certified as a Highly Accomplished Teacher.
Literacy Education Solutions
Literacy Education Solutions offers research-based literacy teaching and learning services, resources and publications to schools, education departments and professional associations. Our services and resources are designed and delivered by the Director and Principal Education Consultant, Dr Tessa Daffern, who has contributed to education in many capacities for over 20 years: as a classroom teacher in schools, teaching and learning specialist, literacy coordinator, academic and education consultant.
Literacy Education Solutions is driven by Dr Tessa Daffern’s dedication to improving the literacy skills of school students and her passion for empowering teachers and leaders across all education sectors to develop contemporary, evidence-based understandings that can inform their teaching of language and literacy. Dr Tessa Daffern is available to design and deliver online and face-to-face professional learning modules, workshops and conference presentations.
ABN: 18 516 012 857