Hon JAN TINETTI (Associate Minister of Education): Through our Better Start Literacy Approach (BSLA), all new-entrant and year 1 teachers have access to training in an integrated approach to developing vocabulary, oral language, spelling, writing, and reading skills in the first year of learning. This approach is steeped in the best of international and domestic research and evidence developed by the University of Canterbury over the last 10 years. BSLA focuses on the link between spoken and written language, systematically supporting children's phonological and phonemic awareness, letter sound knowledge, and oral language, and is delivering results. The programme is part of the Government's wider strategy to shift the dial on teaching and learning of literacy across the country.