At Whiteheath, we develop pupils’ spoken language using the principles outlined in the National Curriculum.

The National Curriculum for English reflects 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.

Teachers therefore ensure the continual development of pupils’ confidence and competence in spoken language and listening skills; we nurture and develop these skills so that our children are capable of expressing their own ideas clearly and confidently.

Pupils at Whiteheath develop a capacity 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 teachers ensure that pupils build secure foundations by using discussion to address any misconceptions. We foster an understanding of how to take turns and when and how to participate constructively in conversations and debates. Questioning is an integral part of our teaching and we encourage children to be inquisitive and to share their thoughts confidently in a supportive environment.

Spoken language skills are taught at a level appropriate to the age of the pupil.  The oral language skills that have been taught in preceding years are built upon with opportunities to revisit, practise and repeat learning which is key to deep understanding and having a mastery of skills. Pupils are taught to develop their competence in spoken language and listening to enhance the effectiveness with which they are able to communicate across a range of contexts and to a range of audiences.  At Whiteheath, we provide pupils with opportunities to work in groups of different sizes – pairs, small groups, larger groups, whole class, whole key stage, whole school and whole school community.

Opportunities for children to develop their competence in spoken language:

Speaking and Listening are valued highly at Whiteheath as vital tools for learning and take many forms including:

• Partner talk and collaborative work
• Reciting and reading aloud  (Whole Class Reading/ Assemblies)
• Listening to and participating in stories, rhymes and songs
• Performances and plays
• Discussing a range of diverse and cultural texts  (see our Reading Spine)
• Vocabulary lessons and use of sentence stems/ sentence starters
• Orally rehearsing ideas for writing during teacher modelling
• Circle times (particularly in PSHE)
• Class discussions
• Class debates
• Parent assemblies
• Christmas carol service at the church (all year groups)
• Choir event at Wembley Arena
• Christmas Pantomime
• End of year leavers' production (Year 6)
• Showing visitors around school
• Reading buddies
• Pupil house captain elections
• Pupil Leadership roles – Prefects/Energy Monitors/ School Council/ Digital Leaders/ Librarians

We place a particular emphasis on increasing pupils’ vocabulary; we aim for every child to develop a broad and rich vocabulary and ensure that subject specific vocabulary is embedded across the wider curriculum through teacher modelling. Contextual learning supports the children to understand new words and encourages them to use them in their work. In whole class reading sessions, children are given the chance to explore unfamiliar vocabulary and expand their knowledge of words. We always endeavour to model the correct grammar and expect children to do the same in their use of spoken and written language.

Constructive formative feedback is provided to pupils regarding their spoken language and listening skills, not only to improve their knowledge and skills but also to establish secure foundations for effective spoken language at primary school right through to secondary education and beyond. Pupils at Whiteheath have a wide vocabulary and are confident speakers.  They enjoy talking amongst peers and to adults in school and demonstrate excellent listening skills.

• BBC Speaking and Listening

• British Council - English Activities

• The Literacy Trust - Speaking and Listening

Children learn the sounds of language by listening to people talk. As children learn to talk with others, they ask questions, learn the meanings of words, and find out interesting and important things about the world around them. Many experiences of listening and talking prepare children to read.

Here are some activities to try:

• When giving directions to your younger children, use short sentences and explain clearly what you want them to do. As they grow older, increase the length of the directions using words that describe (for example, instead of saying, “Get the book,” you can say, “Please bring me your favorite storybook. It is on the desk in your room.”).
• Ask your children questions that require more than a “yes” or “no” answer. Some questions that help them to talk more openly are “Why do you think that happened?” “What do we do next?” “What would happen if we did it this way?” “What can we do about that?” “How can we make this better?”
• Listen carefully as your children talk to you. Answer their questions and take time to explain things to them.
• Play games such as “Red-Car, Green-Car,” “Mama, Puedo,” and “Simon Says” that require talking, listening, following directions, and giving directions.
• Set aside a special time each day to read aloud to your children or hear them read to you.
• Read non-fiction books, magazines or newspaper articles together. 
• Read stories to your children and have them tell the stories back to you.
• Have your children “read” to you from a picture book by making up their own stories about the pictures.
• Take nature walks in the neighborhood, at the local park, or around Ruislip Lido. Spend time talking in detail with your children about things you can see, hear, or touch such as leaves, rain, and caterpillars.
• If possible, take your children on trips to zoos, museums, nature trails, galleries and historical sites. Talk about the interesting and unusual things you see.
• Draw pictures with your children and take turns telling stories about the pictures.
• Pick a topic of interest to your children and have them learn new things about it. Ask them to tell you and other family members what they have learned.
• Watch educational television programs with your children and talk with them about those programs.

By the end of Year 6, pupils will be able 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 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