The Importance of Oral Language Inside and Outside the Classroom

Oral language is a key component to building reading and writing skills. Research shows students without a solid oral language foundation are at greater risk for reading difficulties.

In this chapter, the authors will explore the research on the importance of oral language.

This research, in turn, will lead to the importance of using and developing oral language in the early childhood classroom. In addition, the authors will discuss the impact of oral language on fostering literacy in the classroom and beyond. Furthermore, this chapter will build the case for teachers and students using substitutionary language both inside and outside the classroom. Lastly, the authors will elaborate on the similarities of oral language development in the learner’s first language and the second.