Metalinguistic modelling: applying research to practice in the ITT classroom.

In this reflection, I will discuss the research paper by Myhill et al. (2016) and how I have utilised it to facilitate application of research to practice within ITT. I will focus on some of the key findings from the research, including how metalinguistic discussion impacts memory and the role of the teacher in developing metalinguistic understanding in writing, and how these findings may develop an understanding of the benefits of metalinguistic modelling within the classroom. I will then move on to detail how this research was utilised within an ITT setting when encouraging students to apply knowledge to practice in order to design effective teaching strategies. Following students’ considerations of the complexities of delivering writing within the primary English curriculum, they were asked to generate ideas for the teaching of grammatical and literary devices within creative writing, using an extract from Ted Hughes’ The Iron Man (1968). Their interpretations demonstrated a recognition of the importance of metacognition for learning and how to facilitate the development of children’s metalinguistic knowledge and understanding.