' Proficiency in spoken language remains fundamental to education progress across the whole curriculum. ' - Ann Locke, 'Teaching Talking' (2006)
Introduction to Teaching Children Talking
The Teaching Children Talking project began in the East Riding in 2001 in response to the report of the Working Group into the provision of Speech and Language Therapy Services to children, and is led by a Teaching and Learning Consultant and speech therapy staff as a collaborative project between education and health services.
"The programmes the school has introduced...are beginning to have the desired effect."
"This is beginning to pay dividends and standards are rising."
"Daily lessons in talking have been introduced...led well by the teaching assistants and are beginning to help pupils over their difficulties."
- Ofsted inspectors reported, when visiting a school involved in the project
The aim of the project is to complement the work of the Speech and Language Therapy Service and the Primary National
Strategy, and to raise standards in speaking and listening, particularly in Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1.
Each year approximately 12 schools are invited to take part in the accredited training course.
One TA or nursery nurse (usually in the Foundation Stage) in each school receives training over a two-year period.
This leads to the award of Certificate of Professional Practice - Speech and Language with the University
of York St John.
The teachers who work alongside the students also attend the training, the aim being that the strategies of Teaching
Talking will become embedded in the teaching and learning within the classroom.
School staff and speech and language therapists work together for two afternoons learning how to make Foundation Stage classrooms more language friendly.
The project workers have evaluated the impact of the work on the children through sample testing and through the qualitative
evidence provided by teachers and parents.
The impact of the training on the staff that have taken part has also been measured through an audit of knowledge and
confidence.
All the evaluation measures show that Teaching Children Talking makes a difference both to the children and the staff who
work with them.
The project workers have also written courses that are available for all teachers and support staff to access.
The following have been written in response to the needs of school staff and are accessed through the LA prospectus under
Inclusion.
"Good at speaking in class now - thoughts more organised."
"She has done really well! Her understanding of the English language has improved tremendously and she is now fully able to take part in discussions and conversations."
"He is now able to interact with both adults and children more confidently. He is sharing his ideas during class discussions and is constructing his writing well."
- comments from teachers
They are written to take account of new developments such as the Speech, Language and Communication
Framework (SLCF) and the Primary National Strategy Inclusion Development programme:
- Learning Together, Working Together
School staff and speech and language therapists work together for two afternoons learning how to make Foundation Stage
classrooms more language friendly.
- Developing Listening and Attention Skills for Learning
Participants from FS and KS1 learn how to assess and work with children.
They are provided with resources to use in the classroom and with parents.
- Developing Phonological Awareness Skills for Learning
For Foundation Stage and KS1 staff who work with children who have difficulty with phonics.
A parent package is also provided.
"Speaking clearer now."
"Seems to listen better without interrupting."
"She has improved in her attitude towards listening to us at home, taking in what we say and ask her to do. She is also more confident when talking with more than one person, not afraid to ask questions or say if something is wrong or otherwise."
"My child told me how much he enjoyed taking part in the project. A great success, thank you."
- comments from parents recorded by other schools
- Speaking and Listening through Narrative
A programme that improves oral narrative skills so that children have the language they need for writing.
- Language for Thinking and the Interactive Whiteboard
A programme to develop oral and reading comprehension skills through questions.
Participants are shown how to apply this to the IWB.
An exemplar cross-curricular context will be the Reflection and Response elements of the Agreed Syllabus for RE.
The above courses can also be delivered in school according to individual needs.
For further information please contact:
Linda Hobbs, Teaching and Learning Consultant, Teaching Children Talking
Tel: (01482) 392494
E-mail: linda.hobbs@eastriding.gov.uk
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