Dear Lexis Education community,

As 2025 draws to a close, we want to pause and reflect on what has been a year of growth, collaboration and meaningful impact. Together with our tutors, partners and educators across the globe, we have continued to deepen conversations about language, equity and learning — and to turn those conversations into action in classrooms.

We’re proud to share some highlights from the year and grateful to everyone who has been part of the journey. We look forward to building on this momentum in 2026.

Our 2025 highlights

Transforming writing assessment with AI

This year marked the beginning of an exciting collaboration with the University of Bath through the BAWESS project, aimed at developing an AI-powered language analytical tool. Designed to transform how students’ writing is assessed, the tool will provide deeper insights into language patterns across disciplines in secondary schools.

By integrating Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), Lexis Education’s Language and Learning Development Continuum, and generative AI, this work promises to deliver richer feedback for teachers and more targeted support for students — helping assessment become a driver of learning rather than just measurement.

We’re also proud to contribute strategically to the BAWESS project, with John Polias, Director at Lexis Education, serving on its Advisory Board.

Strengthening support for EAL learners in Victoria

In partnership with the Department of Education Victoria, we supported schools to strengthen the uptake of the Victorian EAL curriculum and to enhance assessment and reporting practices for EAL learners.

Through targeted professional learning, guidance, and resources, schools developed more consistent and accurate approaches to tracking EAL learners’ language development. We sincerely thank the educators and leaders who participated — your insights and commitment continue to shape effective, equitable EAL practice. We are proud to contribute to a system that invests in language, equity and learner success.

Embedding literacy across the curriculum

Our collaboration with Elisabeth Murdoch College (EMC) continued to thrive in 2025, with the school embedding language and literacy across four curriculum pillars: English, Humanities, Science and Mathematics, using our 3L: Language and Literacy Learning course.

The impact of this whole-school approach has been outstanding. A comprehensive research report documenting the process and outcomes will be released soon. In recognition of this work, Mark Howard and David Thomas presented EMC’s findings at the 2025 ASFLA Conference in Adelaide.

If you would like to chat to Mark or David about this successful implementation, please get in touch: info@lexised.com.

Improved writing outcomes in Toowoomba

Three years into the Toowoomba Diocese Subject Discipline Literacy (SDL) project, recent NAPLAN (Australia’s National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) data has revealed significant improvements in Year 7 and Year 9 writing outcomes.

This work, grounded in our 3L pedagogical framework, highlights the power of equipping teachers to explicitly teach the language of their disciplines. We congratulate St Joseph’s College Toowoomba, St Saviour’s College Toowoomba, and Assumption College Warwick, all ranked among the Top 20 Queensland Catholic schools for 2025 NAPLAN results.

We’re incredibly proud to have partnered with these schools through our 3L Tutor Training program, supporting an explicit, language-based pedagogy in every classroom and across every subject. These results demonstrate what’s possible when schools invest deeply in their people and commit to sustained improvement.

Sharing our work: Conference presentations

Lynette Lingard (Lexis Education) presented at the VicTESOL Conference in Melbourne, exploring the structure of stories and their role in language development. You can watch an abridged version of her presentation here.

David Thomas (Elisabeth Murdoch College) presented at the History Teachers’ Association of Victoria Conference, advocating for an explicit approach to teaching the language and literacy of History, using Lexis Education’s 3L as a pedagogical framework.

Gail Forey (University of Bath) presented at the 2nd Disciplinary Literacy Symposium in Bath, sharing her research on the whole-school implementation of a language-based pedagogy at Elisabeth Murdoch College.

Launching the LLEN

In 2025, Lexis Education proudly supported the launch of the Language and Literacy in Education Network (LLEN), which aim is to bring together educators, researchers and school leaders committed to strengthening teachers’ and student’s understanding of how language works to make meaning and, in the process, improving the literacy and learning outcomes for all students.

Lexis Education contributes strategically to the LLEN, with Brian Dare, Director at Lexis Education, serving on its Advisory Board, and Marie Laubie, General Manager at Lexis Education, leading its Outreach Team.

Brian wrote two blog posts for LLEN:

• Introducing students to the functional groupings
• Our LLEN logo: Reflecting key elements of Halliday’s functional model of language

A growing team

We were delighted to welcome Lee-Ann Derrick and Dannie Wang to the Lexis Education team. If you’re seeking tailored professional learning to support EAL teachers and learners across Victoria, our expanded team would love to connect.

If you are seeking support in Queensland or New South Wales, our local consultant Lynette Lingard remains available. Get in touch: info@lexised.com.

A vibrant community of teachers worldwide

We continued to deliver sustainable, high-impact professional learning internationally, including a 3L Tutor Training for the GEMS group in Dubai. Reflecting on her experience, Caroline Denise Dacosta, Head of Department at Our Own English High School Al Ain, shared:

“Across four days of deep professional learning, collaboration, and reflection, I experienced what can only be described as a complete shift in mindset. The course helped me see language not as something confined to English, but as the foundation of all learning; the thread that connects thinking, understanding, and expression across every subject. There were moments when I found myself genuinely amazed, realising how much more intentional our teaching of language can be. The strategies for scaffolding, vocabulary development, and meaning-making through functional grammar were eye-opening. I’ve returned as a certified 3L Trainer, ready to share these strategies with our staff and embed them into classroom practice. The aim is simple yet powerful: to help every teacher see themselves as a language teacher, and every student as a confident meaning-maker.”

Our certified Tutors also continued to deliver our high-impact professional learning courses to their colleagues, providing their school with a sustainable, in-house and whole-school PL approach.

TEMC recognised as one of the best EAL PD

Our Teaching in English in Multilingual Classrooms Tutor Training program was recommended by ISC Research in its white paper on EAL provision in international schools.

2025 favourite teacher quotes

I think every teacher should be doing this course – it should be rolled out to training teachers. Having a deeper understanding of how language works can benefit everyone.” Tina Cooper, Guangdong Technion Affiliated International School, China

“Transformational course. Absolutely indispensable. Empowers me as a language and literacy leader.” Teresa Thomas, GEMS New Millenium School, Dubai

“I loved this course. This is going to be so valuable to both me as a person who wants to improve their own teaching practices. I feel my students will also really benefit from the new ideas that I will bring with me. I think the trainer has been one of the best PD trainers that I have experienced in over 20 years of teaching.” Gareth Hall, North London Collegiate School, Singapore

Thank you

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our outstanding consultants Lee-Ann Derrick, Dannie Wang, Helen Handford, and Lynette Lingard, whose expertise and dedication continue to shape meaningful professional learning.

To our tutors, partners, and the wider Lexis Education community — thank you for your trust, collaboration, and commitment to this work. We are deeply grateful to be part of such a passionate and thoughtful community.

As we look ahead to 2026, we remain committed to empowering educators, enriching students’ language learning experiences, and advancing research that shapes the future of literacy education worldwide.

We wish you a well-earned break and hope the coming weeks offer time to rest, reflect, and recharge. We look forward to seeing you in 2026.

Warm regards, Brian, John and Marie