Listening and speaking are essential for language development, learning,
relating to others and living successfully in society.
A broad and deep vocabulary CONTENT
Students who have broad and deep vocabulary knowledge are better able to comprehend what they
are reading and participate in social and academic aspects of the classroom.
A broad and deep vocabulary enables students to extend and express an understanding of their
world. Vocabulary contributes to knowledge acquisition. Vocabulary instruction is therefore essential
for the development of new concepts and for understanding increasingly sophisticated ideas.
The goals of a comprehensive approach to teaching vocabulary are to:
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expand expressive and receptive vocabulary
ensure that students have many opportunities to acquire a deep knowledge of words and the
multiple meanings of words
be able to understand and use these words flexibly and appropriately in a range of situations.
Active strategies for planning and composing spoken texts FORM
Students who are effective speakers use a repertoire of active strategies for planning and composing
spoken texts. These include:
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goal setting
accessing prior and new knowledge
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developing a plan
composing a first draft
reviewing and revising
editing
presenting.
Development of these strategies is enhanced when students have regular, focussed and explicit
opportunities to discuss and reflect on their use of spoken language.
Knowledge of spoken texts and textual features FORM
Students who are effective speakers and listeners use their knowledge of spoken texts and their
textual features to interpret and create meaning. They understand that purpose and audience
influence the choices made by speakers when interpreting and creating spoken texts.
To interpret and create spoken texts, effective speakers draw upon their knowledge of:
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spoken text structures
spoken textual features such as cohesion and grammar
spoken textual features such as stress, pause, pitch, intonation and rhythm
non-verbal language elements such as gestures and facial expressions.
Knowledge of the language of social interaction USE
Students who have knowledge of the language of social interaction are better able to:
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express their own ideas, feelings and thoughts clearly
respond to others appropriately
clarify their own ideas, feelings and thoughts, and seek clarification of others.
Active listening strategies
CONTENT
FORM
USE
Students who are effective listeners listen in order to understand and respond appropriately in a
variety of situations for a range of purposes. Listening is an active process that involves
comprehension and the active building of meaning.
The processes involved in listening require listeners to:
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retrieve information
make inferences from the spoken text
interpret and integrate ideas and information
evaluate spoken texts by critically reflecting on content, structure and language used
These five aspects of oral language are connected. Effective oral language
users bring together the skills and knowledge of each aspect when speaking
and listening for different purposes. Each aspect is of equal importance,
although effective teachers may make choices about emphasis, depending on
the year level and language of their students.