ABSTRACT
The report of National Curriculum English working group states, Pupils with learning difficulties with or without statements are likely to make only slow progress in reading and writing. The proposals for English in the National Curriculum for Writing at Level 1 stipulate that pupils should be able to 'Use pictures, symbols or isolated letters, words or phrases to communicate meaning'. As was suggested earlier, some form of visual code often supports and encourages the developing oral skills of pupils with severe learning difficulties. Reading and writing are essential skills for full acceptance into our Western society. These activities build up self-esteem which enables pupils to attempt the more exacting skills that are basic to reading and writing. ‘Functional reading' is the ability to use words, phrases and sentences which have been memorized as a whole and to respond to their messages appropriately. It has been considered that a reading age of around 9 or 10 years is needed for functional literacy.
