Many children now enter formal education with reduced levels of proficiency in oral language. This is concerning, since well-developed oral language skills are strongly linked to academic achievement. However, the importance of oral language extends beyond academic success, impacting strongly on social, emotional and mental health and long-term outcomes. Children who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and who are English language learners (ELL) are at high risk of limited oral language skills. There are also concerns about the impact of cutting education budgets, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic and prolonged periods away from education settings, on children's language.
Alongside these issues, children with language difficulties are often at a double disadvantage, as research suggests education practitioners do not feel adequately skilled in supporting language needs (The Communication Trust, 2017). This is further worrying considering that Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) are the most prevalent area of education need in mainstream UK primary schools (Department for Education, 2017).
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