YSJ Events Curates: Language, Literacy and Learning to Read

This brand new series, YSJ Events Curates, launching in 2026, will bring memorable, insightful and interesting events to campus, devised and delivered by the YSJ Events Team.

About the Lecture

Learning to read involves far more than the ability to sound out words; it depends on developing fluent reading with strong comprehension. Most research places considerable emphasis on phonics and alphabetic knowledge, yet recent research highlights the equally important role of oral language in reading curricula for supporting successful reading development.

In this presentation, Professor Maggie Snowling will draw on findings from a longitudinal study of children at high risk for reading difficulties. She will examine why early oral language skills are essential and how the early identification of language learning difficulties can make a difference through targeted educational interventions, which strengthen language skills and can significantly improve literacy outcomes for children.

 

The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception. 

 

About the Speaker

Maggie is Emeritus Professor of Psychology, University of Oxford, Professor of Psychology at York St. John University and Research Fellow, St. John’s College, Oxford. She is Fellow of the British Academy, Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and Honorary Fellow of British Psychological Society. She served as President of St. John’s College, Oxford 2012-2022. Since stepping down she has advised on the DFE’s Reading Framework 2 (2023), and is a member of the Speech, Language and Communication in the Early Years Expert Advisory Group (2025). In 2016 Maggie was appointed CBE for services to science and the understanding of dyslexia.