Date: 22nd of April 2026

Time: 4pm - 6pm

Location: Monaghan Education Support Centre

This face-to-face workshop offers a practical introduction to the UFLI Foundations phonics programme. UFLI is a systematic, explicit approach to phonics designed for use from Junior Infants to 2nd Class, and is also suitable for SET.

UFLI is a systematic, explicit phonics programme, intended for Junior Infants to 2nd Class. It is also suitable for use in SET up to 4th class. Lessons take approximately 30 minutes, each consisting of systematic review and explicit teaching and practice of new concepts.

Participants will explore the structure of UFLI lessons, which include systematic review alongside explicit teaching and practice of new concepts. The workshop will also highlight the free companion resources available online, including PowerPoint presentations, games, and decodable texts.

A sample lesson will be demonstrated, and time will be set aside for questions and discussion.

This workshop is suitable for Primary Teachers (Junior Infants to 2nd Class) and SETs.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Explain the key principles of the UFLI Foundations phonics programme and its role in structured literacy instruction.
• Identify how UFLI can be used across Junior Infants to 2nd Class and in SET settings.
• Describe the structure of a UFLI lesson, including systematic review and explicit teaching of new concepts.
• Navigate and access the free online companion resources, including presentations, games, and decodable texts.
• Observe and reflect on sample lessons to support confident classroom implementation.
• Ask informed questions about getting started with UFLI in their own teaching context.

Facilitator: Deirdre O’Toole 

Deirdre O’Toole is a primary teacher and PhD candidate at Mary Immaculate College, where her research focuses on early literacy acquisition. She delivers professional development for primary teachers across Ireland, supporting evidence-informed approaches to literacy instruction. Deirdre runs Playful Classroom, providing practical, research-based teaching resources and training. She is also the founder of the Science of Reading Discussion for Irish Teachers Facebook group and Right to Read Ireland, advocating for high-quality literacy education for all children.