What is oral language?

In Te Whāriki oral language encompasses any method of communication the child uses as a first language.

This includes New Zealand Sign Language and, for children who are non-verbal, alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) technology and devices to replace or augment verbal communication (Te Whāriki, page 25).

Why is language important?

One of the major tasks for children in the early years is to develop competence in and understanding of language.

Oral language is essential for:

• communication – oral language helps children share with others what they feel and think and understand how others feel and think
• learning – oral language helps children learn about other people and the world
• wellbeing – oral language helps children manage their emotions and their behaviour
• identity and belonging – oral language connects children to their culture
• literacy and educational achievement – “Reading and writing float on a sea of talk”.1 This means that oral language in early childhood is the foundation for literacy learning and achievement in school and kura.

See Mana Reo | Communication in Te Whāriki p. 41.

What makes up communication?

Communication is multifaceted. It is described as being more than words. Speech, language, social interaction, and early literacy skills are all parts of a child’s communication repertoire.

Diagram based on Much More Than Words p. 5. (Ministry of Education).

Speech

The words, rhythm, and intonation of sentences are made up from speech sounds.

Social interaction

Learning how to use language appropriately by listening and taking conversational turns. It includes using social conventions and learning to speak differently with those who are older, younger, and more or less knowledgeable.

Emergent literacy

Learning the building blocks towards reading and writing.

This includes:

• concepts about print and books
• story comprehension and storytelling
• phonological awareness skills including identifying and manipulating units of oral language, such as in rhyming, letter sound identification, and breaking words into syllables.

Language

The term 'language' includes New Zealand Sign Language.

Oral language is made up of receptive (understanding) and expressive language and can be broken down into:

• words – labels for people, objects, actions, concepts, and the beginnings or endings to those labels that show how many or when
• sentences – putting words together into a statement or question
• stories – putting sentences together into a causal chain of events with a beginning, middle, and ending.

Tamariki need to hear rich language and connect it to real world experiences in order to first understand and then to speak (or sign).

The way you talk to children matters!

Further information on oral language development

Find out more in:

• Stepping stones to oral language
• Understanding bilingual and multilingual language pathways