Beverly Derewianka

Beverly Derewianka (born 1946) is Emeritus Professor of linguistics at the University of Wollongong, Australia. She is a leading figure in educational linguistics and Sydney School genre pedagogy. Her major research contributions have been in the field of literacy education. Her research projects tracing students’ literacy development have had a direct and substantial impact on curriculum and syllabus development in Australia and internationally. She has (co-)authored 11 books and numerous book chapters and journal articles in the field of literacy education.

Biography Beverly Derewianka completed a Bachelor of Arts in 1967 at the University of Sydney. She received her Master of Arts (with merit) at the same university in 1975. In 1996, she completed her Doctor of Philosophy at Macquarie University.

Before joining the University of Wollongong (UOW) as a research officer in 1985, Beverly Derewianka accumulated extensive professional experience in language education in secondary schools. She taught English, Italian and modern languages in a number of schools and institutions including Petersham Girls High School, NSW Department of Education, Gregorian University in Rome, Correspondence School, St. George Technical College and Domremy Secondary Girls College during 1969 to 1983. She also worked as a teaching consultant of languages for the NSW Department of Education in 1984.

Derewianka was admitted as an Emeritus Professor at UOW in 2017.

Major contributions Beverly Derewianka's extensive professional and academic experience enables her to "successfully negotiate the different areas of research and policy and practice, earning the endorsement of teachers, academics and policy-makers alike". She has participated in literacy policy and curriculum development in Australia and in many other countries and regions. She worked on the Australian Curriculum for English and acted as Research Consultant and Project Director to a major project at Hong Kong University. She has been a consultant internationally on syllabus design and implementation, for example to educational authorities in Singapore, New Zealand and the European Union.

Selected publications Derewianka, B. & Myhill, D. (2017 in preparation) Issues in Developing a Contemporary Pedagogic Grammar Derewianka, B. & Jones, P. (2016) Teaching Language in Context (2nd Edition – expanded with new material and chapters) Melbourne: Oxford University Press Derewianka, B. (2016) Good Teaching: Literacy, Series of handbooks commissioned by the Department of Education, Tasmania Derewianka, B. (2015) Genre-specific Indicators of Achievement (Research Report commissioned by the Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority) Derewianka, B. & Jones, P. (2012) Teaching Language in Context, Melbourne: Oxford University Press Derewianka, B. (2011) A New Grammar Companion. Newtown, Sydney: elit Press Christie, F. & Derewianka, B. (2008) School Discourse: Learning to Write across the Years of Schooling London: Continuum Press Derewianka, B. (1998) A Grammar Companion for Primary Teachers, Sydney: PETA/Heinemann Derewianka, B. (1996) Exploring the Writing of Genres, UK: United Kingdom Reading Association monograph Derewianka, B., (ed.) (1991) Language Assessment in the Primary Classroom, Sydney: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Derewianka, B. (1990) Exploring How Texts Work, Sydney: PETA