Spoken language – EYFS to 6
At Cusgarne we understand the importance of spoken language in pupils’ development across the whole curriculum – cognitively, socially and linguistically. Spoken language underpins the development of reading and writing. The quality and variety of language that pupils hear and speak are vital for developing their vocabulary and grammar and their understanding for reading and writing.
At Cusgarne School we ensure the continual development of pupils’ confidence and competence in spoken language and listening skills. The children are given opportunities to explain their understanding of books and other reading, and to prepare their ideas before they write. They are assisted in making their thinking clear to themselves as well as to others, and we aim to ensure that pupils build secure foundations by using discussion to probe and remedy their misconceptions. As the children progress through Cusgarne they are also be taught to understand and use the conventions for discussion and debate.
Opportunities are given to the children to participate in and gain knowledge, skills and understanding associated with performance and drama. The children are encouraged to adopt, create and sustain a range of roles, responding appropriately to others in role. At KS2 the children are also given opportunities to improvise, devise and script drama for one another and a range of audiences, as well as to rehearse, refine, share and respond thoughtfully to drama and theatre performances.
National Curriculum- Spoken language
Pupils should be taught to:
- listen and respond appropriately to adults and their peers
- ask relevant questions to extend their understanding and knowledge
- use relevant strategies to build their vocabulary
- articulate and justify answers, arguments and opinions
- give well-structured descriptions, explanations and narratives for different purposes, including for expressing feelings
- maintain attention and participate actively in collaborative conversations, staying on topic and i initiating and responding to comments
- use spoken language to develop understanding through speculating, hypothesising, imagining and exploring ideas
- speak audibly and fluently with an increasing command of Standard English
- participate in discussions, presentations, performances, role play/improvisations and debates
- gain, maintain and monitor the interest of the listener(s)
- consider and evaluate different viewpoints, attending to and building on the contributions of others
- select and use appropriate registers for effective communication
