Communication and Language

The Nature of Speech, Language and Communication

Why Spoken Language Matters

The National Curriculum for English recognises the crucial role of spoken language in a child's overall development. It underpins both reading and writing, forming the foundation of vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension. High-quality spoken language experiences are essential for children to become confident communicators and effective learners.

Our Commitment to Language-Rich Learning

At Wrockwardine Wood Infant School and Oakengates Nursery Federation, our curriculum places a strong emphasis on spoken language as a key tool for cognitive, social, and linguistic development.

We believe that:

• Positive communication helps children build social relationships, foster empathy, and share emotions

• Speaking and listening are powerful modes of learning

• Teaching speaking skills significantly boosts confidence and overall capability

The Power of Interaction

We know that the quality of interaction between adults and children plays a vital role in language development. Children thrive in the presence of responsive, interested, and enthusiastic adults who engage them in meaningful conversations.

A language-rich environment, where children interact regularly with both adults and peers, is crucial. Frequent, high-quality conversations help children:

• Understand and process spoken language

• Build and use a rich vocabulary

• Develop their grammar and sentence structure

• Express their ideas clearly and confidently

Elements of Effective Communication

Good communication is multi-modal. Children develop language best through:

• Words

• Body language

• Facial expressions

• Actions

• Songs and rhymes

Key Areas of Language Development

We focus on supporting children to:

• Understand spoken language

• Build and use an increasingly wide vocabulary

• Construct and understand sentences

• Engage with stories and narratives

• Speak clearly and use correct grammar

• Form positive social relationships through communication

Ensuring Success for All Learners

To support strong communication and language development, we prioritise:

• An engaging and enriching curriculum

• High-quality teaching and learning

• The effective use of formative assessment to guide next steps

Our Curriculum Approach

Our ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum immerses children in progressive knowledge and skills, while also nurturing the personal attributes they need to succeed in life.

We recognise that every child is unique. To support language development, our curriculum ensures that children:

• Learn in playful, language-rich environments filled with stories, songs, rhymes, signs, conversation, and imaginative play

• Engage in hands-on, meaningful experiences that spark curiosity and provide context for exploring new words

• Hear stories read aloud to model sentence structure, question formation, and expressive language

• Are immersed in the natural flow of language, helping them develop essential listening and comprehension skills – the foundation for effective communication

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