The Importance of Oral Language on Children

My sister in law, who is a primary school teacher here in New Zealand, often talks about the children she works with. Most of them are 5 – 7 years old, and at the beginning of their school life. Many of them are what we call ESOL children, meaning that English is their second language.

They originate from the Pacific Islands mainly, but also include some refugee children from other countries. The children she works with who are strong in their first language, seem to pick up, and learn English really well. The children who seem to struggle the most are those who are not strong in their first language.

Most of these children are born in New Zealand but have migrant parents. So the children are brought up hearing a mixture of both languages, but aren’t strong in any one. Unfortunately it is the structure of a language that is vital to learning, and if the children don’t have a good understanding of the structures in their first language, they find it difficult to learn and understand in a second language.

These children are immersed in English during their school day, but often struggle to keep up with their classmates. Programmes are put in place, of course, to help these children, but many believe that the first 5 years of a child’s life are the most important in laying down the foundations for future learning. Therefore, parents play a vital role in setting their children up before they start school at 5, and while they are learning at school.

She has mentioned before the importance of oral language in learning, and if your child is learning English as a second language, don’t let their understanding in their first language slip.

Some tips:
1. Speak to your child in their first language whenever possible.
2. Speak using full sentences. This is where the children will pick up the structures of language.
3. Use rich language to extend their vocabulary.
4. If they come home with school work, talk to them about it using their first language. You will be able to explain more easily, and they will be able to understand more easily. They can then participate more in class if they have better understanding.
5. Talk to your child’s classroom teacher, and it may be possible to have work translated for you so that you can better help your child.

Enjoy talking with your children

Image credit: sxc.hu