Barbara Bleiman

Barbara Bleiman

@barbarableiman.bsky.social

Education consultant, writer of fiction & children's poetry; passionately committed to English as a subject, to education, and to the idea that learning is founded on dialogue. Poems on Dirigible Balloon & Northern Gravy.

2.4K followers1.1K following1.9K posts

Barbara Bleiman reposted

English and Media Centre
@engmediacentre.bsky.social

EMC CPD Face-to-Face: Starting to Teach A Level Language and Literature "A very helpful and informative course for teaching A Level English Language and Literature - interesting teaching ideas and well structured format." - Cherie Sykes, The Angmering School Book by: 12am, 5th Nov buff.ly/6KiIoLF

buff.lyEMC CPD Face-to-Face: Starting to Teach A Level Language and Literature<p>Cross-spec course introducing Lang &Lit AL, with classroom resources. <em>NB: This is a repeat course.</em></p>

Barbara Bleiman reposted

Sue Cowley
@suecowley.bsky.social

Yes 100% this. The spellings I worked on with my Yr.9 English classes back in the 90s are now set for primary age children. That's not high expectations, it's unreasonable and unnecessary ones.

Holding the Line@sparkes66.bsky.social

That’s what I keep thinking when I look at the primary expectations since 2014. Large parts of the Y5/6 curriculum were not taught to me until Y8/9. Yet I have a decent set of O Levels and A Levels, a degree and a PGCE. So what exactly is this rushing them through learning supposed to be achieving?

Barbara Bleiman reposted

English and Media Centre
@engmediacentre.bsky.social

EMC CPD Webinar: The New and Wannabe Head of English "I found the course really helpful - I am already in post, but have been thrust in to it due to circumstances. It was helpful to step back and think about the principles behind what I'm implementing." Book by: 8am on 17th Nov buff.ly/avzHLFd

buff.lyEMC CPD Webinar: The New and Wannabe Head of EnglishThis EMC short course is full of tips for those new to the role of HoD or looking to apply for a post in the near future. <em>NB: This is a repeat course.</em>

Barbara Bleiman reposted

English and Media Centre
@engmediacentre.bsky.social

Teaching The Handmaid’s Tale? This EMC CPD webinar explores: • Gender & representations of women • Characterisation • Dystopian world-building • Narrative voice • Conceptual Metaphor Theory • Linguistic & literary approaches. Book by: 8am on 29th October buff.ly/gBRq9eb

Barbara Bleiman reposted

The Poetry Society
@poetrysociety.org.uk

Calling all young writers! Join us on Friday 6 November for a free online writing session: bit.ly/4BnwNoM You’ll be guided through a series of exciting creative writing prompts to inspire your entries to the Museum of You challenge (in partnership with the National Museum of Scotland).

Barbara Bleiman reposted

English and Media Centre
@engmediacentre.bsky.social

EMC CPD Face-to-Face: Starting to Teach A Level Language and Literature "A very helpful and informative course for teaching A Level English Language and Literature - interesting teaching ideas and well structured format." - Cherie Sykes, The Angmering School Book by: 12am, 5th Nov buff.ly/6KiIoLF

buff.lyEMC CPD Face-to-Face: Starting to Teach A Level Language and Literature<p>Cross-spec course introducing Lang &Lit AL, with classroom resources. <em>NB: This is a repeat course.</em></p>

Barbara Bleiman reposted

English and Media Centre
@engmediacentre.bsky.social

What happens when linguistics meets literary criticism? Explore Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale through new research and fresh perspectives on gender, characterisation, narrative voice and dystopian world-building. Book by: 8am on 29th October buff.ly/gBRq9eb

Barbara Bleiman reposted

English and Media Centre
@engmediacentre.bsky.social

EMC CPD Face-to-Face: Starting to Teach A Level Language and Literature "So useful to learn about the A Level, which has been overwhelming me! Lots of practical tools and helpful instruction about key terminology & concepts." - Alison Hall, Meadow Park School Book by: 12am, 5th Nov buff.ly/6KiIoLF

buff.lyEMC CPD Face-to-Face: Starting to Teach A Level Language and Literature<p>Cross-spec course introducing Lang &Lit AL, with classroom resources. <em>NB: This is a repeat course.</em></p>

Barbara Bleiman reposted

clarefeeneyuk.bsky.social
@clarefeeneyuk.bsky.social

100% this.

Mr E@theniceman.bsky.social

Hopefully oracy will be: 1. Listening to pupils' own words for insights into their thinking rather than recall of verbatim answers. 2. Developing pupils' expression, interaction and creativity. 3. An awareness of the power and authenticity of different voices. NOT Learning to "Speak Properly".

Barbara Bleiman
@barbarableiman.bsky.social

I'd highly recommend these courses run by my amazing colleagues. The one on 'Big Picture Writing Pedagogy' is a game-changer for those wanting students to write with confidence, making sound choices to suit their intentions & developing their thinking through writing.

English and Media Centre@engmediacentre.bsky.social

Here are the full-day courses we're running next half term! All available to book now on our website: buff.ly/HgaojT0

Barbara Bleiman reposted

DamsonEd
@damsoned.bsky.social

Oh dear. From someone who heavily promoted reading fluency, this is wrong. “One way to scaffold comprehension monitoring is to promote reading fluency over reading speed” Reading speed- word reading speed-is a common measure of reading fluency. www.tes.com/magazine/tea...

tes.comThe rising problem of ‘hasty reading’ and what teachers can do about itTeenagers are increasingly likely to rush through a text and give a quick, wrong answer, according to Pisa tests. Alex Quigley offers advice on what to do if this is happening in your class

Barbara Bleiman reposted

Peter Stockwell
@stockwell.bsky.social

By me and @jessnorledge.bsky.social - 90 minute webinar. Praise be.

English and Media Centre@engmediacentre.bsky.social

Teaching The Handmaid’s Tale? This EMC CPD webinar explores: • Gender & representations of women • Characterisation • Dystopian world-building • Narrative voice • Conceptual Metaphor Theory • Linguistic & literary approaches. Book by: 8am on 29th October buff.ly/gBRq9eb

Barbara Bleiman reposted

Andrew McCallum
@andrewemc.bsky.social

'And I can announce today that I will give oracy equal status to reading and writing, as a new strand of the English curriculum.' Yes to @lucympowell.bsky.social'! At last a minster who gets education! What will this means for NC, well overdue with no rescheduled date www.gov.uk/government/s...

gov.ukEducation Secretary speech at CST Conference 2026In her speech, Lucy Powell set out a bold vision to reimagine childhood for a new era.

Barbara Bleiman reposted

Carole Bromley
@carolebromley.bsky.social

Coming to York at half term? Why not DM me for a copy of my book or pop into Toppings, Poetry Pharmacy or Visit York who have all just been restocked - ready for Halloween!

Barbara Bleiman reposted

English and Media Centre
@engmediacentre.bsky.social

EMC CPD Webinar: Purposeful Grammar at KS3 "As a teacher with an A Level and Degree in English Literature, rather than Language, I learnt quite a lot about how I can bring grammar more into the mix." - Catherine Taylor, The King's School Book by: 8am on 15th October buff.ly/be1J9PY

buff.lyEMC CPD Webinar: Purposeful Grammar at KS3This webinar will suggest ways to use grammar for analysing texts, as well as for developing writing at KS3. <em>NB: This is a repeat course.</em><br />
Barbara Bleiman
@barbarableiman.bsky.social

From our friends at Tower Poetry. Are you a 16-18 year old poet who’d like to be in with a chance of winning £5,000? The 2027 Tower Poetry competition is now seeking entries on the theme of ‘The Deep’: www.chch.ox.ac.uk/towerpoetry-enter

chch.ox.ac.ukEnter the Tower Poetry CompetitionThe 23rd Christopher Tower Poetry Competition opened for entries on 10 October 2022, with students between 16-18 years of age challenged to write a poem on the theme 'The Planets.' The competition clo...
Barbara Bleiman
@barbarableiman.bsky.social

ReconstructingReading is an online conference from @literacytrust.org.uk, with international literacy leaders offering robust research & classroom strategies for diverse learners. I went to some sessions last year & found them fascinating! literacytrust.org.uk/events/recon... #ReconstructingReading

literacytrust.org.ukReconstructing Reading 2026 | National Literacy Trust16 to 26 November. Reconstructing Reading is an online conference bringing international literacy leaders together to explore strategies that empower every reader - in ways that work in today’s classr...
Barbara Bleiman
@barbarableiman.bsky.social

We've had some lovely poems by students sent to us after #NationalPotryDay, prompted by the EMC resource. What I love is how varied they are - coming from students' own choices of what to write about. If you've got any to share from your classes, do let us know! Examples to follow in replies below.

Barbara Bleiman reposted

The Poetry Society
@poetrysociety.org.uk

Congratulations, Foyle Young Poets 2026! Our flagship talent development scheme, the award recognises 15 top & 85 commended poets aged 11-17 each year. This year's award, judged by John McAuliffe & Rachel Long, received entries from 10,598 poets from 153 countries. Read the winners 🔗 buff.ly/OnEVdHD

Barbara Bleiman reposted

English and Media Centre
@engmediacentre.bsky.social

EMC CPD Face-to-Face: Language Change and Discourses "Both the course leaders were knowledgeable and passionate about their subject. The course resources are excellent and useful and were provided in good time." - Stephanie Ironside, St Bedes School Book by: 8am on 15th October buff.ly/uJLInF2

buff.lyEMC CPD Face-to-Face: Language Change and DiscoursesExploring contemporary language change: new words, new meanings & new methods. <em>NB: This is a repeat course.</em>

Barbara Bleiman reposted

English and Media Centre
@engmediacentre.bsky.social

We're just going through the final proofs for this - a must-have for anyone teaching the combined Lang-Lit A Level. The wealth of knowledge on display is astounding - well done @stockwell.bsky.social @jessnorledge.bsky.social @englangblog.bsky.social

Barbara Bleiman@barbarableiman.bsky.social

Tenor, vehicle and ground have been appearing in lots of English curriculum plans, promoted by a few eduinfluencers. I've been v sceptical about their usefulness in teaching metaphor. In a forthcoming EMC resource, linguist Peter Stockwell explains the problem with them.

Barbara Bleiman
@barbarableiman.bsky.social

Tenor, vehicle and ground have been appearing in lots of English curriculum plans, promoted by a few eduinfluencers. I've been v sceptical about their usefulness in teaching metaphor. In a forthcoming EMC resource, linguist Peter Stockwell explains the problem with them.

Barbara Bleiman reposted

English and Media Centre
@engmediacentre.bsky.social

Just to let you know that there are no places left for our emagazine A Level Lit conference at Friends House in November. If schools pull out, we'll reopen nearer the time. Apologies if you wanted places + didn't manage to get them. A few left for Language, which opened today. POD coming soon