Insights and Updates - The Literacy Bug

Welcome to The Literacy Bug podcast, dedicated to all things literacy related. Originally, in its previous form, the podcast applied Ludwig Wittgenstein’s philosophy of language to the domain of literacy. Since then, the podcast and its associated website (theliteracybug.com) have evolved into something a little less esoteric and a lot more practical; we explore everyday issues pertaining to literacy teaching and learning. We want developing readers & writers to engage in literacy in a wide array of forms and possibilities. We want readers & writers to develop the skills to inform (and be informed), entertain (and be entertained), persuade (and be persuaded) as well as to ponder, explore, and speculate.

Last refreshed: July 20th, 2025 at 12:52 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Resources for Planning and Monitoring for Effective Literacy Teaching and Learning

This podcast summarises a range of resources that can help teachers better plan and monitor for effective literacy teaching and learning. We encourage visitor to download the presentation slides and resources at http://bit.ly/2-Planning-Monitoring-Resources

Jun 08, 2017•10 min

Teaching According to the Stages of Literacy Development

This is a presentation that explores the changing nature of literacy across the various stages of literacy development. In so doing, we discuss how instruction must change as learners consolidate core skills and prepare for new skills and expectations. Teaching routines for the various stages of literacy development are also discussed. Please explore and enjoy! Presentation slides are available for download at https://www.theliteracybug.com/s/Teaching-Routines-Stages.pdf

Apr 10, 2017•1 hr 5 min

How to plan and monitor effective teaching and learning - a video presentation

This is a presentation that provides advice on "How to plan and monitor effective teaching and learning". It emphasises the need for teachers to develop scaffolded activties that provide learners with the skills to succeed. Presentation slides are available for download at https://www.theliteracybug.com/s/Planning-Monitoring.pdf

Mar 11, 2017•50 min

An Overview of Literacy Development Now on YouTube

The presentation explores the many components of literacy development, the stages of literacy development, and the dual-demands of "code-based" and "meaning-based" practices. To be exact, it sets out to meet the following objectives: (a) to explore the components of literacy development (e.g. oral language development, phonemic awareness, etc); (b) to explore the stages of literacy development (i.e. the gradual, cumulative nature of literacy development); (c) to understand the difference between...

Feb 14, 2017•1 hr 1 min

Podcast #5: A Response to "Encoding, Decoding and Understanding (Print) Language"

Welcome to another episode of The Literacy Bug Podcast! This week I respond to the recent blog entry called “Encoding, Decoding and Understanding (Print) Language”. In the mentioned blog entry, I casually glossed over the importance of oral language comprehension in the role of literacy development. In glossing over oral comprehension, I did not neglect or undermine its significance. In fact, I acknowledge the complexity and significance of language comprehension in propelling the need the encod...

Aug 12, 2016•9 min

Podcast #4: Targeted Teaching Relies on Quality Assessment Practices

Even though we are referring to this as the fourth episode of the podcast, it is the first one under the name The Literacy Bug. Originally, in its previous form, the podcast applied Ludwig Wittgenstein’s philosophy of language to the domain of literacy. Since then, the podcast and its associated website (theliteracybug.com) have evolved into something a little less esoteric and a lot more practical; we explore everyday issues pertaining to literacy teaching and learning. Without further ado, we ...

Oct 31, 2015•13 min

Podcast #3: Commanding a Clear View

Welcome to the third episode of the Wittgenstein On Learning Podcast. In this episode, I discuss Wittgenstein's concept of commanding a clear view . Given the amount of time spent recently on literacy pedagogy in the blog ( wittgenstein-on-learning.com /journal ), some may be surprised at the choice of topic. However, the topic makes perfect sense. Over the past few weeks, I have been committed to gaining a clear view of the topics of language and literacy development. I have taken a reflective ...

Sep 01, 2014•16 min

Podcast #2: Wittgenstein's Concept of Language Games

This is the second episode of the Wittgenstein On Learning Podcast. In this episode, I discuss Wittgenstein's concept of language games . The concept of language games serves as a central features of Wittgenstein's later philosophy. Through this concept, Wittgenstein is able to take a more anthropological or ethnographic approach to language by emphasising how language is acquired, developed and justified within contexts. In this episode, I explore (a) how language is acquired in contexts throug...

Jul 19, 2014•20 min

Podcast #1: An Introductory Episode

The podcast will provide a further outlet to present ideas in relation to the impact of Wittgensteinian ideas on contemporary discussions of language learning, literacy acquisition, cultural practices and the development of knowledge. The first episode provides an introduction to the website as well as a brief contrast between the treatment of language (and literacy) in the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus and the Philosophical Investigation . To keep the contemporary feel, the contrast is applied...

May 18, 2014•10 min

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