Ongoing applications being accepted!
The Literacy, Language, and Learning Graduate Diploma (LLLGD) is a 30-credit, blended program with a summer residency at the Nanaimo VIU campus and online coursework.
Program Description
The LLLGD program covers complex literacy learning, typical and atypical literacy development, children's and young adult literature, social justice and literacy, English language learning, Indigenous language revitalization, and pedagogical literacy acquisition practices.
The program equips individuals with research-based theoretical foundations and pedagogical understanding of learning processes, strategies, resources, and practices to support language and literacy development for children in classrooms and communities. The program is particularly appropriate for practicing teachers, but may also be of interest to early childhood educators, English language instructors, adult educators, and those supporting Indigenous language revitalization through literature and language learning practices.
The LLLGD program is centered around four principles:
- Literacy and language learning are complex processes that require an understanding and application of evidence based theory and practice
- Texts have power to inform and influence. Critical literacy-focused pedagogy can contribute to recognizing positionality of texts, and to equitable representation of diverse voices, cultures, places, genders, abilities, languages, and dialects
- Learners require instructional practices that recognize and respond to neurodiversity in literacy acquisition, and individual student needs
- Literacy, language, literature, and learning have transformative potential for social justice, inclusion, self expression, decolonization, reconciliation, and student success
Upon completion, students can apply to ladder into the Master of Education in Educational Leadership (MEDL) or Master of Education in Special Education (MEDS) programs.
View a recording of the May 2023 Information Session
Download the presentation slides from the May 2023 Information Session
Program Outline
The program consists of a minimum of 30 credits comprised of 18 required credits and a minimum of 12 elective credits.
|
Required Courses |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
Students must complete the following: |
|
|
LLL 501 - (Literacy Development Theory)* |
3 |
|
LLL 502 - (English Language Form and Structure: Reading) |
3 |
| LLL 503 - (English Language Form and Structure: Writing) | 3 |
| LLL 504 - (Critical Literacy) |
3 |
| LLL 505 - (Neuro-typical and Neuro-diverse Literacy Learning) | 3 |
|
One of the following: |
3 |
|
Total |
18 |
|
Elective Courses |
|
|
Students must complete a minimum of 12 credits by taking at least four of the following: |
|
|
LLL 508 - (Emergent Literacy) |
3 |
| LLL 509 - (Second or Additional Language Acquisition) | 3 |
|
LLL 510 - (Engagement in Literacy Learning) |
3 |
|
LLL 511 - (Language as Art) |
3 |
|
LLL 512 - (Educational Technology for Literacy, Language, and Learning) |
3 |
| LLL 513 - (Leadership in Literacy and Language)** | 3 |
| LLL 514 - (Special Topics in Literacy, Language, and Learning) | 3 |
| GDSE 692 - (Individual Intervention Planning) and GDSE 693 - (Individual Assessment) *** (counts as 2 electives) | 6 |
|
Total Credits |
12 |
* LLL 501 is delivered face-to-face at the VIU Nanaimo campus during the month of July
** LLL 513 is required for applying to ladder into the Master of Education in Educational Leadership (MEDL) program.
*** GDSE 692 and GDSE 693 are required for applying to ladder into the Master of Education in Special Education (MEDS) program.
Admission Requirements
- Baccalaureate (undergraduate) degree in Education or a related field (such as Child and Youth Care, Social Work, Arts), from a recognized university that is acceptable in content to the Faculty of Education with either:
- a cumulative grade point average of “B” in the final two years and/or
- demonstration of academic excellence
- Submission of official transcripts for all post-secondary coursework/studies.
- Applicants whose previous degree was obtained in a country where English is not the primary/official language and from a university where English was not the language of instruction must meet one of VIU’s English Language requirements for Graduate Programs.
Flexible Admission
In exceptional circumstances, a student may be admitted with lower formal qualifications when there is significant professional experience relevant to the proposed area of scholarship. The objective of flexible admission is to recognize prior learning accomplishments and to ensure a high probability of successful program completion. Applicants must show evidence of having sufficient knowledge, skills, and attitudes to complete a demanding academic course of study. Applicants seeking Flexible Admission will be required to:
- Provide a personal statement of intent
- Provide a detailed résumé
- Provide two or more letters of reference
- Provide official transcripts of all post-secondary coursework
In limited cases, applicants may also be required to:
- Provide a portfolio containing evidence of applicable prior learning
- Appear for an interview
- Take a qualifying course; and/or
- Provide additional documentation as may be required to adjudicate the application
Notes on Admission
Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
- Experience working in educational environments recommended for success in the program
- Preference will be given to candidates with stated interest and experiences in literacy and language learning topics
- Criminal records check may be required for some courses
- Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program
Transfer from other institutions
Applicants may apply to the Dean for possible transfer credits from other accredited graduate programs.
Contact Information
Reach out the Faculty of Education Graduate Programs office at Educ.GP@viu.ca.