The Importance Of Speaking And Listening In The Primary Classroom - Reflecting On Experience

"We need to be much more aware of the learning potential of talk; of the ways in which teaching might assist children's spoken language development; of the best ways of gathering information and eventually making informed assessments of children's talk; and through all this, how our behaviour as teachers in our planning of the curriculum, in our interactions with children and our discussions with other colleagues, can best contribute to the kind of classroom and school climate most conducive to oracy." [Howe, 1997.]

In the 1970's, projects led by linguists and educationalists such as Wilkinson [1965,] Vygotsky [1978,] and Bruner and Bruner [1986,] recognised the importance of oracy in the primary classroom. It was not until The National Oracy Project; [1987-1993,] that the National Curriculum finally advocated the need for speaking and listening to be 'an essential part of the National Curriculum for English.' Corden [2000, p1.] It represented a third of English in the National curriculum alongside reading and writing. However, in 1998 the National Literacy Strategy Framework [NLSF,] was implemented as a statutory requirement in England and as optional material in Wales. The framework focused

on reading and writing, therefore, speaking and listening got overlooked by many schools. It was in 2003 through the Speaking, Listening and Learning [QCA/DfES,] materials that speaking and listening regained its status. It is 'widely used in schools, the materials actively promote talk at all stages of the writing process.' Grugeon et al [2005, p87.] Alexander notes that his perspective on dialogic teaching, with the key aim to benefit teachers and learners through 'children's deeper engagement with learning contexts,' as cited by Grugeon [2005, p9,] is prominent in the QCA/DfES publication. And now with the introduction of the 'Primary Framework for literacy and mathematics' DfEE, [09/2006,] speaking and listening has confirmed it's status highlighting talk as, 'the underlying key factor in the development of literacy as well as a central feature of any successful teaching and learning.' DfEE, [2006, p17.] This shows speaking and listening have come full circle in the last decade and a half, with it now being at the forefront of language education.

I carried out research at a junior school on the outskirts of Cardiff with a population of approximately 300 pupils in ten classes from year three to six. The last inspection report was in February 2002 in which it states the school is 'a very good school with many very good features...and the commitment of all staff to school improvement have resulted in significant progress since the last inspection.' Estyn [2002, p1.] With regard to speaking, the last inspection report says 'pupils speak clearly and fluently. In whole class discussions and during group activities, they express opinions and explain aspects of their work in a number of subjects.' Estyn [2002, p6.] This suggests a good standard of speaking throughout the school. However, it states, 'listening skills are satisfactory. Pupils generally listen to instructions and respond appropriately...however, in all classes..., a minority of pupils do not always listen attentively.' Estyn [2002, p7.] In this report the first 'Key Issue for Action' is noted to 'improve standards in pupils' listening skills.' Estyn, [2002, p33.]

The school has worked hard to improve their listening skills whilst not losing focus of speaking skills. Due to the new appointment of the language coordinator, the school did not have an up to date policy. However, they use material taken from 'Language Builders,' Elks and Maclachlan [2006.] The material includes guidance on 'teaching good listening skills,' 'helping children with listening and attention skills,' 'developing social skills' and 'telling and writing stories.' This material includes assessment levels from 1-4 which are not related to the National Curriculum level descriptors and all teachers are expected to carry out formative and summative assessment. Within the school there are resources and advice is available for teaching children with listening and communication problems. Oracy is a key feature of the school's medium term planning and is 'planned for' each term for every year group.

There is a strong school ethos which permeates throughout the school; the pupils are very polite to all members of the school including visitors, the staff is supportive of one another and all have high expectations of the pupils' behaviour and promote pupil motivation. The school environment is well looked after, in the playground pupils have access to a variety of resources including football nets and a buddy bench, inside there are a mixture of displays, some celebrate pupils' work, others are informative and interactive. Overall, the feel for the school is positive and caring.

One way used to promote speaking and listening at a whole-school level are whole class assemblies in which areas of PSE are addressed. The listening members of the school are always encouraged to ask questions and there is often an interactive element to each assembly involving the audience. This is one example of how schools can extend pupils opportunities for talking. Waters et al [1999, p81.]

On more than one occasion, I witnessed teachers talking informally with pupils in class and around the school, Grugeon [2005] states that 'the value of unplanned talk should not be underestimated...and should be valued as important to school life.' [p89.] Talking informally can allow for unplanned learning. This school demonstrated to me how MACRO issues for speaking and listening can have a positive effect on individual pupils.

I observed lessons and playtimes of one of the year three classes. The atmosphere in the classroom was one of learning and respect for one another. The displays in the classroom were focused

on both learning and independent work. There was one display dedicated to group names and points, and a wheel with levels of noise; 'silent work, quiet voice, partner voice, group voice.' Attention was brought to this at the beginning of each lesson after the input. As part of the group point system, the teacher gave out listening awards when children displayed good listening skills either through their behaviour or the questions and comments they made to the topic being spoken about. These awards were then added to their group points thus, increasing their motivation to obtain the awards.

In the sessions I observed the climate of talk was very positive, the