Oral language at school entry: dimensionality of speaking and listening skills

Jessica Massonnie, Anna Llaurado, Emma Sumner, Julie Dockrell

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Abstract

There has been a resurgence in concern about the levels of pupils’ oral language skills at school entry. To support and develop these skills effectively an understanding of the key components of oral language is required. We examined the oral language skills of monolingual children in Reception (MAge = 57.9 months; n = 126) and Year 1 (MAge = 69.07; n = 124) classes in England. Children were recruited from schools that were representative of London primary schools and were assessed on measures designed to tap phonology, core language skills (vocabulary and grammar) and discourse skills, both in the receptive and expressive modalities. Using confirmatory factor analyses, we examined the associations between oral language skills by component and modality for each age group. Oral language was best represented by four dimensions in Reception (receptive core language skills, receptive discourse, expressive core language skills, and expressive discourse). By contrast in Year 1, three dimensions were identified, irrespective of modality: phonology, core language skills and discourse. Our data speak to the importance of capturing these dimensions in assessments and teaching and monitoring their development at school entry. The results also highlighted the foundational role of discourse skills at the start of school.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages24
JournalOxford Review of Education
Early online date16 Mar 2022
DOIs
Publication statusEarly online - 16 Mar 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • oral language
  • phonology
  • vocabulary
  • grammar
  • discourse
  • confirmatory factor analyses

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