Critical literacy approaches to English teaching have existed in Australia for more than two decades. Despite this, they continue to be criticised by the media, especially during times of perceived "literacy crisis" and curriculum review. In addition, teachers and academics continue to explore their worth and meaning for English teaching…

Reviews the 1991 position paper on the teaching of English by the Australian Association for the Teaching of English (AATE). Notes the paper reads like an old-fashioned manifesto from an era of homogenized assumptions. Suggests a new paper should endorse the primacy of professional knowledge of English teachers in determining what should be…