Language and Learning

Language and Learning She has been a certified practicing speech pathologist and member of Speech Pathology Australia since January 1998 and teacher since 2002.

I help 🇦🇺SLPs translate assessment into therapy for school age language and literacy [K-12]
🖥️ Literacy Training & Coaching via Tier 3 Toolkit for Language, Learning & Literacy + 📝 Resources - TPT Language & Learning Australia - Kathryn Thorburn Kathryn Thorburn

Certified Practising Speech Pathologist
Member Speech Pathology Australia
NESA Accredited Teacher - Proficient
Tutor SPELDNSW
Consultan

t teacher Learning Difficulties Australia

Medicare Provider
Private Health Fund Approved

School Age (K-12) Language, Literacy & Learning

Over 20 years experience - NSW Health, NSW DET Schools, Catholic Schools & Independent Schools

0416 544 153 (Mobile)

[email protected]

www.languageandlearning.com.au

About

Kathryn Thorburn holds dual qualifications in Speech Pathology & Teaching [Primary & Special Education]. Kathryn holds proficient teacher accreditation with NESA in NSW and was employed on the NESA English Writers team for the K-2 & 3-6 Syllabus updates, 2021. Kathryn is a consultant teacher with Learning Difficulties Australia and Tutor for SPELDNSW. Kathryn has Speech Pathology experience in both NSW Health [adult & kids rehab] & Private practice. She has a particular interest and practical experience in the education and support of students who would be considered educationally at risk due to neurological condition, traumatic brain injury, rare disease, oncology treatment or complex medical history. Kathryn has extensive experience with assistive technology for supporting learning with a focus on student function and independence. Within the education sector Kathryn has worked across the DET, Catholic and Independent school sectors in NSW over 20 years. In addition Kathryn piloted a Rehabilitation Education Liaison Role within HNE Kids Rehab supporting students with mild moderate Head Injury back to their mainstream school environment. Kathryn has practical experience as a classroom teacher, co-ordinator, member of school leadership team / school executive and consultant for schools within a regional team. Kathryn has extensive experience managing and implementing whole school change in a K-12 setting in the areas of Literacy, Numeracy and Inclusive Education. Kathryn provides clinical education to Speech Pathology students [4th yr & Masters programs] from both the University of Newcastle and Sydney University within a Preschool - Year 12 setting and provides an annual guest lecture to Speech Pathology students on the topic of Reading & Spelling - Assessment & Intervention. Kathryn believes in supporting others to be the best they can be whether it is the students she works with or the professionals she supports. Kathryn believes all students can learn however as professionals we need to work smarter not harder because of the ever changing demands of the students in our educational and therapeutic care. Attached to their page is the group Language and Learning - Training and Support. This group is a safe place for professionals to ask questions and learn from each other. Kathryn reserves the right to delete any post that doesn’t not align with current best practice research and any instance of bullying or harassment will not be tolerated. Our focus at all times is the students we work with but we value collaboration because ‘together we can go far’

This week is Speech Pathology Week - Did you know students with language disorders such as Developmental Language Disord...
23/08/2026

This week is Speech Pathology Week - Did you know students with language disorders such as Developmental Language Disorder [DLD] may require access to speech and language therapy services at different stages throughout their lifetime, particularly at transition points including

✅ preschool to primary school,
✅ primary school to high school and
✅ high school to further education (RCSLT, 2020).

23/08/2026
Late night mail delivery 🚚 📦
20/08/2026

Late night mail delivery 🚚 📦

20/08/2026

Phonics instruction has stolen the spotlight in a lot of conversations regarding the Science of Reading. In the latest issue of Nomanis, Nicola Bell questions how much instruction is necessary before children reach “escape velocity”. Read the full piece here: https://hubs.la/Q04l8_xV0

What do you do when repeated practice results in practicing errors?We know that practice makes permanent but we don’t wa...
19/08/2026

What do you do when repeated practice results in practicing errors?

We know that practice makes permanent but we don’t want to reinforce errors.

Teaching upper primary learners with a range of language and learning difficulties they would typically give up and not try or reply with ‘I don’t know’ when faced with speed tests.

Using a hundreds chart for each fact family was a game changer!

Students had a visual scaffold that modelled the through process required to work out the answer

The visual scaffold modelled the process for both multiplication and division.

As a bonus you could model the concepts of multiple and factor as well as the process involved in calculating division with remainder.

If an answer was a multiple it would be circled

Language could be made visible, vocabulary concepts could be clearly modelled, students could practice with a process that supported accuracy and as they became more accurate and automatic they stopped using the near point reference.

Want to try it with your students? You can find it on Teacher Pay Teachers - Language and Learning Australia - Kathryn Thorburn [or link in bio]

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/language-learning-australia-kathryn-thorburn

A real life practical of word finding difficulties 😂 while this example was from 3 years ago current discussions are aro...
12/08/2026

A real life practical of word finding difficulties 😂 while this example was from 3 years ago current discussions are around whether fleecy shorts 🩳 count as short because apparently wearing fleecy shorts means you don’t need a jumper 😂🤔😉

Address

Medowie, NSW
2318

Opening Hours

Tuesday 12pm - 9pm
Wednesday 12pm - 9pm
Thursday 12pm - 9pm

Telephone

+61416544153

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