I second Anne's welcome to the IFERI forum and would encourage people to join us whatever the interest in reading instruction - and also spelling, handwriting and literacy more generally.
IFERI has an unusual mix of people on its committee (check out the 'Committee' page - click on the members' photos) in a deliberate attempt to demonstrate the international collaboration and relationships possible between people of very different roles in the field of literacy in the English language.
It's pointless conducting research after research project if the findings are not put to really good use in schools and for home-education.
That is why the IFERI committee felt an organisation was needed to bring together researchers, policy advisors, programme-writers, teacher-trainers, teachers, parents, grandparents, publishers - any and all stakeholders striving to improve literacy in their own countries and throughout the world.
We have a huge task before us which is multi-faceted. This ranges from linking to existing research-findings, including historic and contemporary papers of significance, to 'evidence' any guidance, advice and resources we might recommend or link to - but also we have plenty of educational experience to provide answers and suggestions for practical solutions for teaching a single learner, or teaching in a class or a school - as required and requested.
The more we can encourage others to join us, the greater the wealth of shared information about developing and successful projects and solutions taking place to address weak literacy in a wide variety of contexts around the world.
Some of our work, however, will be necessarily questioning and challenging various research findings, programmes, practices, and even official policies, around the world - but don't be put off by those threads on the message forum which address the serious issues that, to this day, need to be addressed for the sake of greater clarity of information and for improving the educational and life- chances of the learners themselves.
So, please don't hesitate - join in!
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