THE LEARNING LAB
At West Coast Literacy
Welcome to the Learning Lab, where we are proud to offer a variety of valuable services to educators, professionals and families seeking evidence-informed methods to enhance the language and literacy development of children.
Meet Aoife Mc Namara
Aoife Mc Namara is a literacy focused speech-language pathologist. She holds a masters degree in speech-language therapy and a clinical certificate from Speech-Language & Audiology Canada, which reflects her professional interest in language and literacy development. Aoife has worked in both the public school system and private practice, honing her skills and expertise.
Aoife's interest in literacy and its vital connection to language development has prompted her to pursue extensive postgraduate coursework. She is an accomplished Sounds-Write and Orton Gillingham trained practitioner and an accredited Word Aware trainer.
Beyond her work in clinical settings, Aoife is committed to promoting the connection between research and practice. She has served as a journal article reviewer, developed and delivered post-secondary courses, and served as an international ambassador to raise awareness of developmental language disorders.
Aoife's unique combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience is what drives our resource and service offerings. Anyone who has met or worked with her can attest to her commitment to helping others better understand and support children's language and literacy development using practical, efficient and evidence-informed resources and methods.
Services Offered:
At the Learning Lab, we deliver a range of training, professional development and direct intervention services, including:
1. WORD AWARE TRAINING
Word Aware is an acclaimed approach to enhancing vocabulary development in alignment with the science of language and reading (SOLAR/SoR). The program uses the latest research in language and literacy to equip teachers and other professionals with practical tools and strategies to enhance the vocabulary skills of children. Developed through years of clinical and classroom experience, the Word Aware framework is an effective and time-efficient method for expanding both spoken and written vocabulary.
2. COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
We offer a range of courses of workshops for both professionals and families on topics including but not limited to:
- The Science of Language and Reading
- Using Decodable Books
- Developmental Language Disorder
Our team is available to offer both in-person and online training services that are tailored to your unique needs. Please get in touch with us to learn more.
3. CONSULTANCY
At the Learning Lab, we work in partnership with schools, districts, and organizations to provide ongoing coaching and mentoring, develop whole school literacy plans and recommend and assemble resource bundles (see our online store) that align with your specific needs and budget.
Our team is dedicated to supporting evidence-based language and literacy instruction and will work with you to find the best solutions for your unique requirements.
4. LANGUAGE & LITERACY INTERVENTION
We offer specialized language and literacy assessment and intervention services at select times throughout the year for children ages 4 to 14 based in Vancouver, BC.
Please contact us if you would like to know more about our current assessment and intervention offerings.