Phonics: Theory, Research, Differentiated Instruction and Assessment Microcredential

Key facts

Cost: $1000
Mode: Online
Duration: 12 months
Start date: Semester 1, 2024

Learn what phonics and phonological awareness are, as well as how to design systematic, explicit and evidence-based phonics and phonological awareness instruction.

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Awarded Australian Government funding under the Microcredentials Pilot in Higher Education, ACU has developed this microcredential in line with the Australian Skills Classification priorities, to meet industry needs and encourage lifelong learning.


Dr Valeria Rigobon

Researcher, Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy


What you will learn

To successfully complete this microcredential, you must undertake both units.

Unit 1: Phonemes and Phonics: Instruction and Assessment

This unit focuses on phonics and phonemic awareness, highlighting their importance in the process of learning to read. You'll be equipped with the foundational knowledge to establish explicit and systematic phonics instruction for all students, and how to teach and assess these areas effectively.

Phonological awareness is a critical indicator of a person's ability to organically connect a letter or sequence of letters to sounds, which is crucial for reading words as well as comprehension and fluency.

Learn why phoneme awareness is necessary for learning and how it relates to phonics and the study of sounds.

Learn why phoneme awareness is necessary for learning and how it relates to phonics and the study of sounds.

Unit 2: Phonics: Effective Intervention in Primary and Secondary Schools

Addressing fundamental challenges in student literacy, this unit provides educators with the knowledge and skills needed to develop effective phonics instruction and assessment for primary and secondary students who experience difficulty in learning foundational reading and writing skills.

Learn how to support students with the tools needed to decode words, build fluency and enhance spelling skills.

Gain a deep appreciation of the elements of systematic phonics instruction and sequencing the teaching of sound-letter relationships.

Explore different ways to measure the impact of effective interventions for students with complex reading difficulties.

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Learning outcomes and assessment

This is a highly flexible course, providing you with a robust foundation of evidence-informed knowledge and skills to better enhance student outcomes.

To successfully complete each unit, you will need to pass a series of multiple-choice assessments and written assignments.

Digital certification

Following the successful completion of this microcredential, you will receive a digitally coded certification badge that can be shared on your professional profiles, including LinkedIn. This badge is proof of your award and can be used to gain credit in relevant courses when pursuing further study.

Pathways to further study

This microcredential has been designed to provide you with a pathway into the Graduate Certificate in Education or the Master of Education at ACU.

Industry endorsement

Science iSTEM has received endorsement from the Professional Teachers’ Council NSW industry body.

Phonics: Theory, Research, Differentiated Instruction and Assessment has received endorsement from the following industry bodies:

  • NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
  • Professional Teachers' Council NSW
  • Sydney Catholic Schools.

Course development and teaching team

Director, Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy

Professor Rauno Parrila is the Centre Director of the Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy. His research focuses on psychological, linguistic and social correlates of both typical and atypical development of reading and academic achievement.

View Professor Rauno Parrila's profile

Clinic Director, Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy

In her role as Director of the Literacy Clinic, Professor Saskia Kohnen is responsible for ensuring that the quality of the services provided in the clinic are of the highest standards. She holds a degree in linguistics and speech-language pathology and completed a PhD in 2008 at Macquarie University.

View Dr Saskia Kohnen's profile

Researcher, Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy
Lecturer (Literacy)

As a researcher with a background in developmental psychology, Dr Valeria Rigobon investigates reading and spelling development of skilled readers, bilingual speakers and students who have, or may be at risk for, dyslexia.

View Dr Valeria Rigobon's profile

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