A method for wirelessly transmitting user data and at least a first type of control information using a plurality of transmission layers including encoding bits of a first type of control information to form one or more control codewords and encoding bits of user data to form one or more user data codewords. The method also includes generating a plurality of vector symbols based on the control codewords and the user data codewords. Each vector symbol includes a plurality of modulation symbols that are each associated with a transmission layer over which the associated modulation symbol will be transmitted. Generating the plurality of vector symbols includes interleaving bits of the one or more control codewords and bits of the one or more user data codewords so that the first type of control information is carried in modulation symbols associated with the same transmission layers in all the vector symbols transmitted during the subframe that carry the first type of control information. The method also includes transmitting the plurality of vector symbols to a receiver over a plurality of transmission layers.