BESTSELLER! PL Program: Using morphology, etymology, phonology and orthography to teach spelling and word knowledge
Unlock the logic behind English spelling! Explore phonology, orthography, morphology & etymology to teach spelling in meaningful, engaging, and research-backed ways.
Program Length
10 hours
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Access
365 days from enrolment
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Program Creator
Dr Katharyn Cullen
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About this program
English spelling may seem irregular, but it is built on a highly logical system grounded in sound, structure and meaning. Developed by Dr Katharyn Cullen and informed by contemporary literacy research, this comprehensive professional learning program explores English spelling through the lens of four essential spelling knowledges: phonology, orthography, morphology and etymology.
Participants will discover how these elements interact to form consistent spelling patterns that support reading, writing and vocabulary development. Moving beyond memorisation and word lists, the program provides practical, classroom-focused approaches for teaching spelling in ways that are engaging, equitable and meaningful.
By understanding how words work — their sounds, structures and histories — educators will be equipped to help students build deep, transferable word knowledge and greater confidence as readers, writers and thinkers.
Learning outcomes
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Understand the complementary roles of phonology, orthography, morphology and etymology in building word knowledge and literacy development.
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Explore how morphological and etymological instruction can support equity and access for diverse learners.
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Develop deeper understanding of word structure, including base words, prefixes and suffixes.
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Identify patterns and relationships between words that support spelling, vocabulary and comprehension.
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Investigate word origins and understand how etymology contributes to spelling knowledge.
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Distinguish between etymological roots and morphological relatives and understand why this distinction matters.
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Master the 44 phonemes of spoken English and understand how they are represented within a 26-letter alphabet.
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Refine approaches to teaching phonological sensitivity, phoneme awareness and phonetics.
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Connect phonology to broader systems of spelling, vocabulary and meaning-making.
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Explore the logic of English orthography and understand why English spelling makes sense.
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Strengthen understanding of the alphabetic principle and the relationship between graphemes and phonemes within a morphophonemic language.
Who should participate?
- Teachers Years F–8
- Literacy Leaders
- Heads of Curriculum
- Heads of Instruction
- Deputy and Assistant Principals
- EAL/D Coordinators
What else do I need to know?
- This PL program is self-paced and unmoderated.
- Participants have access for 365 days from registration.
- This program addresses AITSL standards 1.3.2, 2.1.2, 2.2.2, 2.5.2, 3.1.2, 3.2.2, 3.3.2 and 3.4.2.
About your program creator
Dr Katharyn Cullen is an accomplished educational leader, innovator and curriculum specialist who holds a PhD in Using Linguistic Lenses to Improve Classroom Instruction. Her work focuses on helping educators understand the systems that underpin language, literacy and word knowledge.
She is the author of Using Linguistic Lenses to Journey into Words: A Teacher's Guide to Phonology, Orthography, Morphology and Etymology, a highly regarded resource for teachers and school leaders seeking to transform spelling and vocabulary instruction.
As a former Head of Junior School and Head of Campus (ELC–Year 6), Katharyn combines deep theoretical expertise with extensive leadership experience. Her practical, energetic and evidence-informed approach has helped schools strengthen teacher practice and improve student outcomes.
Cost of participation
| Registration Type |
Price |
| Member |
$350 |
| Non-Member |
$500 |
| PL Subscription School Member |
Included |
| Automatic group booking discount (6+) |
25% off each extra enrolment |
*all tickets must be booked at the same time for the discount to apply