Module 1.1 Introduction to the Professional Learning Guide

The importance of oral language

Oral language is the foundation for student learning. It is essential for literacy learning, and successful use of language is critical for students’ wellbeing. Almost all classroom-based learning relies on oral language.

Students vary in their ability to use their existing language in order to learn. The level of oral language knowledge and competency of some students is substantially different from the demands of the curriculum.

An explicit oral language program acknowledges that the ‘Speaking & Listening’ dimension of the English Domain requires further elaboration for those students with oral language difficulties, or gaps in language knowledge, skills and practice.

Note: Learning Module 5 provides advice about how an explicit oral language program can be implemented at a school level.

The implementation of a Language Support Program for students with language difficulties can lead to enhanced student learning in:

• listening comprehension
• expressive language
• vocabulary
• phonological knowledge
• grammatical knowledge
• social language skills
• using language to learn and to communicate effectively
• storage and retrieval of information in and from long-term memory
• perception and attention to spoken language.