Why Literacy Instruction Must Be Explicit and Coherent | Dr. Jen O’Sullivan

In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast...Katie talks with Dr. Jen O’Sullivan, education researcher and lecturer, about what effective reading instruction looks like beyond phonics - and why strong literacy teaching needs to connect the different skills involved in learning to read.About Dr. Jen O’SullivanDr. Jen O’Sullivan is an education researcher and lecturer specializing in literacy education. A former primary school teacher, her work focuses on early reading development, early intervention for reading difficulties, teacher professional learning, and the role of children’s literature in literacy instruction. Dr. O’Sullivan’s LinksRead Write Jen: readwritejen.comRead Aloud with Intent by Dr. Jen O’Sullivan and Dr. Clara Fiorentini: Read Aloud with IntentThe Power of Playful Language: Read Dr. O’Sullivan’s articlePicture Book Vocabulary Finder: Vocabulary FinderInternational Reading Achievement Results (PISA): PISA 2025 ResultsChapters00:00 – The Science of Reading vs. the Science of Teaching Reading00:55 – Meet Dr. Jen O’Sullivan02:16 – From Classroom Teacher to Literacy Researcher04:18 – Bridging the Gap Between Reading Research and Practice05:26 – What Effective Teacher Training Looks Like07:05 – Why Teachers Need Ongoing Professional Development09:43 – Connecting the Pieces of Literacy Instruction11:03 – Why Reading Skills Shouldn’t Be Taught in Isolation12:22 – Reading Is Like an Orchestra14:43 – Why Phonics Is Fundamental — But Not Enough16:27 – Vocabulary and Background Knowledge Matter Too18:21 – How Background Knowledge Supports Reading20:03 – Why Reading Multiple Books on One Topic Helps20:34 – Why Vocabulary Is So Important for Comprehension22:30 – Why Dictionary Definitions Aren’t Enough25:04 – Playful Ways to Build Vocabulary at Home28:11 – What Jokes Teach Children About Language29:43 – The Picture Book Vocabulary Finder33:03 – How Picture Books Build Sophisticated Language35:27 – Using Books to Develop Vocabulary39:32 – How Parents Can Evaluate Reading Instruction42:04 – What to Do If Your Child Is Struggling42:38 – Nursery Rhymes and Building Early Literacy43:20 – Let Your Children See You Read and Write44:05 – Why Reading Aloud Is So Powerful44:37 – Read Aloud with Intent45:21 – Making Read-Alouds More Engaging48:19 – The INTENT Framework50:28 – Should Parents Worry About Graphic Novels?51:10 – Reading Achievement and Reading for Pleasure55:13 – Where to Find Dr. Jen O’Sullivan#ScienceOfReading #ReadingInstruction #Phonics #ReadingComprehension #Vocabulary #Literacy #ReadingAloud