Introduction

In the fi ve years since the publication of the fi rst edition of this book, the primary curriculum in the UK has undergone extensive review. The content of what constitutes the ‘English’ curriculum has remained at the forefront of debate and controversy and, tantalisingly, the key role of speaking and listening has re-emerged only to be succeeded by a political focus on the teaching of early reading and phonics in particular. The National Strategies are no longer in existence and it is against a background of some uncertainty about the content of the future primary curriculum that this book has been written. This second edition of the book, therefore, seeks to reaffi rm the central role that talk plays in children’s learning and celebrate the enormous potential that a focus on speaking and listening presents to teachers for innovative and creative teaching.