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.
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
SOMETHING FOR HODS!!
We now run a bonus after-school webinar for HODs, exclusive to EMC webinar package holders, where you get the chance to discuss important English issues together.
Spring package now available!
www.englishandmedia.co.uk/workshops/21...
We now run a bonus after-school webinar for HODs, exclusive to EMC webinar package holders, where you get the chance to discuss important English issues together.
Spring package now available!
www.englishandmedia.co.uk/workshops/21...
November 28, 2025 at 12:19 PM
SOMETHING FOR HODS!!
We now run a bonus after-school webinar for HODs, exclusive to EMC webinar package holders, where you get the chance to discuss important English issues together.
Spring package now available!
www.englishandmedia.co.uk/workshops/21...
We now run a bonus after-school webinar for HODs, exclusive to EMC webinar package holders, where you get the chance to discuss important English issues together.
Spring package now available!
www.englishandmedia.co.uk/workshops/21...
This report is well worth sharing with school careers advisors, GCSE & A Level students & parents!
What do UK graduates do? Lots of information in this annual report.
A reminder that Humanities graduates are quite employable. Compare unemployment rates for Biology (8.4%), Chemistry (5.9%) and Physics (8.0%) with English literature (6.4%), History (7.6%) and Languages (7.6%) for example.
A reminder that Humanities graduates are quite employable. Compare unemployment rates for Biology (8.4%), Chemistry (5.9%) and Physics (8.0%) with English literature (6.4%), History (7.6%) and Languages (7.6%) for example.
graduatemarkettrends.cdn.prismic.io
November 28, 2025 at 2:26 PM
This report is well worth sharing with school careers advisors, GCSE & A Level students & parents!
Great item on young people & poetry writing & the Young Poet Laureate Scheme on BBC London, with @joshuaseigal.bsky.social doing great stuff in the classroom. Here it is, on his blog.
joshuaseigal.bsky.social
November 28, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Great item on young people & poetry writing & the Young Poet Laureate Scheme on BBC London, with @joshuaseigal.bsky.social doing great stuff in the classroom. Here it is, on his blog.
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
A fascinating panel discussion with Simon Horobin, Jasmine Andersson and Christian Ilbury at today's emagazine A Level English Language Student Conference!
November 27, 2025 at 2:52 PM
A fascinating panel discussion with Simon Horobin, Jasmine Andersson and Christian Ilbury at today's emagazine A Level English Language Student Conference!
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
For the next talk of the day, Jasmine Andersson speaks about claims that accents like the Cockney accent are dying out.
November 27, 2025 at 12:21 PM
For the next talk of the day, Jasmine Andersson speaks about claims that accents like the Cockney accent are dying out.
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
Simon Horobin delivers a fascinating talk on language change over time!
November 27, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Simon Horobin delivers a fascinating talk on language change over time!
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
Today's emagazine English Language Student Conference is off to a flying start! Our first speaker of the day, George Bailey, spoke about using technology to classify variation between regional dialects.
November 27, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Today's emagazine English Language Student Conference is off to a flying start! Our first speaker of the day, George Bailey, spoke about using technology to classify variation between regional dialects.
Question for poetry lovers/geeks….
I’ve been writing a pantoum. It has all the right line repetitions in the right places but to make it end well I’ve added one extra standalone line at the end. Does that disqualify it from being a pantoum? Waiting nervously…
I’ve been writing a pantoum. It has all the right line repetitions in the right places but to make it end well I’ve added one extra standalone line at the end. Does that disqualify it from being a pantoum? Waiting nervously…
a man wearing glasses and a suit and tie is talking .
ALT: a man wearing glasses and a suit and tie is talking .
media.tenor.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Question for poetry lovers/geeks….
I’ve been writing a pantoum. It has all the right line repetitions in the right places but to make it end well I’ve added one extra standalone line at the end. Does that disqualify it from being a pantoum? Waiting nervously…
I’ve been writing a pantoum. It has all the right line repetitions in the right places but to make it end well I’ve added one extra standalone line at the end. Does that disqualify it from being a pantoum? Waiting nervously…
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
Wednesday's fabulous Harold Rosen Lecture by Carol Atherton reminded us of the transformative power of authentic, dialogic teaching, says NATE chair Mick Connell. The lecture can be viewed after reading Mick's article: t.co/bP8n58Jntp
https://www.nate.org.uk/2025/11/20/carol-athertons-harold-rosen-lecture-advocates-for-the-transformative-power-of-authentic-dialogic-teaching/
t.co
November 22, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Wednesday's fabulous Harold Rosen Lecture by Carol Atherton reminded us of the transformative power of authentic, dialogic teaching, says NATE chair Mick Connell. The lecture can be viewed after reading Mick's article: t.co/bP8n58Jntp
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
Recently we posted our overall response to the CAR. Here @mediamagemc.bsky.social editor Claire Pollard summarises the key points for Media specialists.
Note repurposing of logo in true Media Studies fashion. How many teachers are old enough to remember C&A?!
englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/a-brief...
Note repurposing of logo in true Media Studies fashion. How many teachers are old enough to remember C&A?!
englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/a-brief...
EMC Media response to Curriculum and Assessment Review
Thoughts about the likely impact for Media Studies and media in English of the 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review's final report
englishandmedia.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Recently we posted our overall response to the CAR. Here @mediamagemc.bsky.social editor Claire Pollard summarises the key points for Media specialists.
Note repurposing of logo in true Media Studies fashion. How many teachers are old enough to remember C&A?!
englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/a-brief...
Note repurposing of logo in true Media Studies fashion. How many teachers are old enough to remember C&A?!
englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/a-brief...
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
It's fascinating to see how much the students were writing with minimal guidance. So much great material to draw on for formative assessment. It's something @barbarableiman.bsky.social + I will be thinking about in our Big Picture Writing course next week www.englishandmedia.co.uk/courses/0a4b...
November 19, 2025 at 4:42 PM
It's fascinating to see how much the students were writing with minimal guidance. So much great material to draw on for formative assessment. It's something @barbarableiman.bsky.social + I will be thinking about in our Big Picture Writing course next week www.englishandmedia.co.uk/courses/0a4b...
This was wonderful. I loved all the speakers, the panel, the aspirational and inspirational ideas that were being shared with students in all the sessions, giving them a bigger context for thinking about their literature & the nature of the subject.
We had a fabulous time with over 800 teachers + their students at our emagazine Literature conference yesterday. Here's our panel doing a splendid job at setting out the benefits of a Literature degree.
Next up Language, followed by Poems of the Decade. Both sold out.
Next up Language, followed by Poems of the Decade. Both sold out.
November 14, 2025 at 12:08 PM
This was wonderful. I loved all the speakers, the panel, the aspirational and inspirational ideas that were being shared with students in all the sessions, giving them a bigger context for thinking about their literature & the nature of the subject.
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
Very much agree @barbarableiman.bsky.social The hard work is making sure that the full breadth of #oracy is understood, embraced and practised.
Now the hard work begins to ensure that oracy isn't shrunk to performative talk of very narrow kinds (only debating, speeches, formal interviews) but encompasses the full gamut vital for learning in subjects & learning for life - Talk for Learning, Learning about Talk as well as Learning to Talk.
Great to see the importance of Oracy being so clearly recognised in the CAR! Congratulations to @voice21oracy.bsky.social @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social and many others & thank you for all your hard work!
November 12, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Very much agree @barbarableiman.bsky.social The hard work is making sure that the full breadth of #oracy is understood, embraced and practised.
Now the hard work begins to ensure that oracy isn't shrunk to performative talk of very narrow kinds (only debating, speeches, formal interviews) but encompasses the full gamut vital for learning in subjects & learning for life - Talk for Learning, Learning about Talk as well as Learning to Talk.
Great to see the importance of Oracy being so clearly recognised in the CAR! Congratulations to @voice21oracy.bsky.social @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social and many others & thank you for all your hard work!
Like @voice21oracy.bsky.social, we're delighted to see prominence given to oracy in the recently published Curriculum and Assessment Review. Here's their response voice21.org/voice-21-res...
November 12, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Now the hard work begins to ensure that oracy isn't shrunk to performative talk of very narrow kinds (only debating, speeches, formal interviews) but encompasses the full gamut vital for learning in subjects & learning for life - Talk for Learning, Learning about Talk as well as Learning to Talk.
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
Want to hear how different stakeholders are responding to the CAR in relation to English? @pearsonenglishhub.bsky.social is hosting a webinar on December 4th. Free to sign up @eva-mcmanamon.bsky.social pearson.cventevents.com/event/c7a22c...
Summary - Let’s Talk English: What does the Curriculum and Assessment Review mean for English?
pearson.cventevents.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Want to hear how different stakeholders are responding to the CAR in relation to English? @pearsonenglishhub.bsky.social is hosting a webinar on December 4th. Free to sign up @eva-mcmanamon.bsky.social pearson.cventevents.com/event/c7a22c...
This is the @engmediacentre.bsky.social response to the CAR. It's a relief & pleasure to find so much to welcome in it. I hope that DfE gets firmly behind the key recommendations & especially that the changes to GCSE English can be brought in as quickly as possible. @beckyfrancis.bsky.social
Here's our response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review. We're v hopeful it holds out the possibility of real change in secondary English - more oracy, media, drama, proper language study + better GCSEs! englishandmedia.co.uk/blog/emc-res...
EMC response to Curriculum and Assessment Review Report
EMC's response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review, exploring its implications for English and Media teaching in secondary schools
englishandmedia.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 1:14 PM
This is the @engmediacentre.bsky.social response to the CAR. It's a relief & pleasure to find so much to welcome in it. I hope that DfE gets firmly behind the key recommendations & especially that the changes to GCSE English can be brought in as quickly as possible. @beckyfrancis.bsky.social
Great to see the importance of Oracy being so clearly recognised in the CAR! Congratulations to @voice21oracy.bsky.social @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social and many others & thank you for all your hard work!
Like @voice21oracy.bsky.social, we're delighted to see prominence given to oracy in the recently published Curriculum and Assessment Review. Here's their response voice21.org/voice-21-res...
Voice 21 responds to the Curriculum and Assessment Review - Voice 21
voice21.org
November 6, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Great to see the importance of Oracy being so clearly recognised in the CAR! Congratulations to @voice21oracy.bsky.social @realgeoffbarton.bsky.social and many others & thank you for all your hard work!
This arrived yesterday by @attielime.bsky.social Looking forward to dipping in!
November 6, 2025 at 8:03 AM
This arrived yesterday by @attielime.bsky.social Looking forward to dipping in!
I had a children's poem accepted by @littlethoughtspress.com for their 'Stirring Words' issue. Their lovely editor @clairemtaylor.com asked me to do an interview for their blog. Here it is, along with another poem about my grandparents. www.littlethoughtspress.com/post/intervi...
Interview: Barbara Bleiman
Barbara Bleiman is a London-based ex-English teacher and education consultant at the English and Media Centre (EMC), with a keen interest in poetry. She has written a book about English teaching, What...
www.littlethoughtspress.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I had a children's poem accepted by @littlethoughtspress.com for their 'Stirring Words' issue. Their lovely editor @clairemtaylor.com asked me to do an interview for their blog. Here it is, along with another poem about my grandparents. www.littlethoughtspress.com/post/intervi...
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
A great day for all the teachers involved. Thanks for doing such a fantastic job again, Jess!
Absolutely delighted to be back at the @engmediacentre.bsky.social for a fun-filled day of Literary Linguistics! Today we’re joined by teachers across the country for our ‘Starting to Teach A level LangLit’ course. Such fun!
November 5, 2025 at 9:36 AM
A great day for all the teachers involved. Thanks for doing such a fantastic job again, Jess!
Reposted by Barbara Bleiman
The much anticipated final report of the Curriculum + Assessment Review is now available. Significant recommendations for English, particularly at GCSE, which we'll be digesting in the coming days + recommend every English teacher reads www.gov.uk/government/p...
Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report
The conclusions and recommendations of the independent review of the curriculum, assessment and qualifications system in England.
www.gov.uk
November 5, 2025 at 10:57 AM
The much anticipated final report of the Curriculum + Assessment Review is now available. Significant recommendations for English, particularly at GCSE, which we'll be digesting in the coming days + recommend every English teacher reads www.gov.uk/government/p...
Here's a little Bonfire Night poem. Maybe some EY, KS1 and 2 teachers might spot it and share it with children. Now that would be just lovely!
November 5, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Here's a little Bonfire Night poem. Maybe some EY, KS1 and 2 teachers might spot it and share it with children. Now that would be just lovely!
My poem in this collection of Bonfire Night poems is from a dog's pov. If you have a dog and have to think about their well-being when all the bangs go off and the sparks fly, your children might enjoy my doggy viewpoint! (Lots of fab human views there too!)
brian-moses.blogspot.com/2024/10/nove...
brian-moses.blogspot.com/2024/10/nove...
Welcome to the Ssssssnake Hotel
NOVEMBER 5th - FIREWORKS & BONFIRES (Copyright to all poems remains with their creators. My thanks to everyone who contributed) My Recipe ...
brian-moses.blogspot.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:59 AM
My poem in this collection of Bonfire Night poems is from a dog's pov. If you have a dog and have to think about their well-being when all the bangs go off and the sparks fly, your children might enjoy my doggy viewpoint! (Lots of fab human views there too!)
brian-moses.blogspot.com/2024/10/nove...
brian-moses.blogspot.com/2024/10/nove...
Interested in the teaching of writing? Do take a look at this great summary from @theclpe.bsky.social of what works in developing writers who are confident, engaged & thoughtful & can draw on their reading to give voice to their ideas in increasingly sophisticted ways. clpe.org.uk/research/wri...
Writing in Primary Schools — What We Know Works | Centre for Literacy in Primary Education
Writing in Primary Schools- What We Know WorksThis publication shares what we know about writing in primary schools.This is part of our free 'What We Know Works...
clpe.org.uk
November 2, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Interested in the teaching of writing? Do take a look at this great summary from @theclpe.bsky.social of what works in developing writers who are confident, engaged & thoughtful & can draw on their reading to give voice to their ideas in increasingly sophisticted ways. clpe.org.uk/research/wri...
A Halloween poetry offering for little 'uns getting geared up for Halloween and donning their costumes, stepping out into the night all prepared to be very scary...and to be very scared!
October 29, 2025 at 4:15 PM
A Halloween poetry offering for little 'uns getting geared up for Halloween and donning their costumes, stepping out into the night all prepared to be very scary...and to be very scared!