By: Merry Louise G. Isorena, Teacher II
Majayjay Elementary School
Majayjay Sub-Office-SDO Laguna
Prevention is better than cure. As an educator, I think this quote that we usually hear in terms of disease prevention, is not only applicable in reminding us to stay healthy but also to avoid learning deficiencies in our students. Thus, focusing on the basics and foundation of learning, the launching of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Early Language Literacy and Numeracy (ELLN) Course.
“ELLN” is short for Early Language, Literacy, and Numeracy; this is a blended learning course that is a combination of guided independent study using multimedia courseware, classroom application and reflection, and face-to-face co-learning in school-based learning communities
With ELLN, Kindergarten to Grade 3 (K to 3) teachers and instructional leaders are to be equipped with the basic knowledge and pedagogical skills in literacy and numeracy. Through the completion of the course guide – which can be taken via self-study of interactive multimedia courseware, or Collaborative learning in school-based Learning Action Cells (LACs) – competent teachers are to be produced who can address, teach, and assess specific learning areas effectively.
School-based mentoring/learning partnership program is a mechanism for the continuous professional development of teachers/mentors, teachers/mentees, school managers, and instructional leaders. This is an avenue where collaboration and innovation within the school community are encouraged to attain competencies that are highly likely to be achieved and should be evident in our learners. This is also an avenue for teachers to listen to storytelling and read-aloud activities from the best storytellers through the School-Based Learning Action Cell, per DepEd Order No. 12, s. 2015.
These four objectives of ELLN namely: (1) Improve reading and numeracy skills of the K to 3 learners following the K to 12 programs; (2) Strengthen the teacher’s capability to teach and assess reading and numeracy skills effectively; (3) Improve management and administration of the program; (4) Establish a school-based mentoring/learning partnership program thru SLAC. It could be said that these are ideal goals in which our teachers can address fundamental language, literacy, and numeracy in our students which are needed for their academic success in later key stages.
ELLN Digital which is consist of 15 lessons grouped into five modules is based on DepEd’s 10- day live-in training course on early language, literacy, and numeracy instruction for K-3 teachers. As per conducted studies, exposure to literacy at a young age leads to improved linguistic skills, a richer vocabulary, improved grammar, higher quality writing, better spelling, and more precise oral communication.
This ELLN ensures that we – educators – are speaking to our learners. Observation of learners’ behavior and analyzing the language, literacy, and numeracy class while writing reflections on it is one of the most important elements of early literacy and numeracy. At this stage of our learners’ development, we can already provide them with opportunities to acquire, develop, enhance and enrich the knowledge, skills, and abilities that they already have.
To be able to read and write; to be attentive to the conventions of the language, using increasingly precise vocabulary, and understanding how language functions); and to be able to understand and work with numbers are skills that must be developed at an early age. Early literacy means helping our learners develop a sense of responsibility for their learning and acquire the ‘tools’ they need to become successful readers and lifelong learners.
Source:https://tpdatscalecoalition.org/portfolio/early-language-literacy-and-numeracy-digital
https://www.depedbohol.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/ELLN_Digital_Course_Guide.-Teacher-Engagement-Report.pdf