LIfTT – A Teacher’s Perspective
A ‘Q&A’ with Helen, a secondary-based literacy teacher who has been using LIfTT for the past year.
A literacy intervention needs to be not only effective for pupils, but easy-to-use for teachers. Helen was keen to share her experience on The Literacy Hub blog!
What’s your current role?
I’m a Literacy Coach at a secondary school, which means I work with small groups of pupils who are withdrawn from mainstream lessons so that we can work on their reading, spelling or writing skills. For pupils with specific literacy or behavioural needs, I might also work one-to-one.
How often do you work with your pupils?
They come to me for one hour per week, and some pupils will also pop in briefly at registration for extra fluency or phonics practice.
How easy is it to assess pupils and plan the intervention?
The assessment for pupils is very straightforward. It contains a mixture of reading, writing and spelling tasks. Once you’ve completed the LIfTT Intervention Planning Tool spreadsheet a couple of times it becomes quite easy, and you can input the data fairly quickly. The output is fantastic, and allows me to quickly pinpoint areas where support is needed. This means I can easily plan personalised interventions, ensuring each student receives the help they need to succeed.
Did LIfTT save you planning and preparation time?
The resources and well-structured programme means I can focus more on engaging with my students, rather than spending hours creating materials from scratch. Everything is included, and once you have printed and laminated all of the resources you don’t need to worry about them again.
I now have more time to dedicate to individualised support for my students and to reflect on their progress. I typically spend 10 to 15 minutes making brief notes on the previous lesson, choosing spelling words for the following week, and using the Teaching Manual to select the best activities for the next lesson. The ease of use and organisation of the programme has really lightened my workload.
Do you feel confident that you have the appropriate resources to meet students’ needs?
Definitely! The package comes with a range of games and activities that are easy to use and the students enjoy playing and completing them. With a wide variety of resources at my disposal, I'm able to tailor my teaching approach to address each student's individual strengths and challenges. So, whether they need help with phonics, decoding long words, or just some support with punctuation, I’m able find the appropriate module or topic to suit that pupil. The workbooks are also easily accessible, and over time students become really confident in using them.
How engaged are your students?
The students really enjoy the lessons. As an educator, it’s always a joy to see students genuinely engaged and excited about learning. They like the combination of all the short activities including written tasks, sorting activities and mini games. All the tasks are designed to be both fun and educational.
Do you see your students making progress?
It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the progress our students have made this year. From those with difficulties decoding, to those working on more advanced reading and writing skills, each student has shown remarkable improvement. Their ability to decode complex words has improved significantly. This has led to them having a greater confidence in reading aloud and being engaged in meaningful discussion about texts.
Does LIfTT affect students’ confidence and motivation?
The program has been fantastic in building both the confidence and motivation of my students. Over the course of the first few lessons, students who were previously hesitant to participate became more eager and excited to engage. The variety of activities and the ability to work at their own pace has also kept them motivated and excited to learn. I’ve seen a remarkable improvement not only in their academic skills, but also in their self-esteem and willingness to take on new challenges.
Have LIfTT resources improved your confidence when teaching?
I can honestly say that LIfTT resources have transformed my approach to teaching! They’ve given me the confidence to step into the classroom with a clear sense of direction. The materials are well organised and easy to implement, which has allowed me to focus more on the students' needs and less on scrambling for lesson plans. Having access to such comprehensive and engaging resources has made teaching more enjoyable and less stressful.
What is your favourite thing about LIfTT?
My favourite part of the program has been how interactive it all is. The activities are not only engaging for the students, but also allow for a hands-on approach to learning that keeps everyone involved. These activities also cater to different learning preferences, so every student can participate and feel successful. It’s been amazing to see how much more engaged and motivated the students are when they’re actively involved in their learning.
What have you learned from using LIfTT?
Since using the programme, I’ve learned so much more about literacy skills and spelling rules than I expected. The resources are not only helping my students, but they’ve also deepened my own understanding of the structure and patterns that underlie spelling and language development. The programme breaks down complex concepts in a clear and manageable way, making it easier for me to explain and reinforce these skills in the classroom. I now feel more confident in teaching spelling rules and literacy strategies, and I’m better equipped to support my students in mastering these.
How useful is the LIfTT manual?
The manual has been incredibly easy to use and a real asset to my teaching. The layout is clear and the instructions are straightforward, making it simple to find exactly what I need, when I need it. I especially appreciate the step-by-step guidance, and examples of questions to ask students. The manual has not only saved me time but also boosted my confidence in using the resources effectively. I’m very grateful for how accessible and easy it has been to follow.
Would you recommend LIfTT to other practitioners?
I’m excited to share my positive experience using LIfTT in our school. The programme offers a fantastic range or resources and tools designed to engage students, and the interactive nature of the activities makes learning not only enjoyable but also impactful. Throughout this year, I’ve seen a noticeable improvement in student participation and motivation. I wholeheartedly recommend LIfTT for use in schools. I believe it has the potential to transform the educational experience for both students and teachers.