School language programme boosts children's reading
Katy Morton
Monday, May 13, 2013
An evaluation of a pilot project led by children's communication charity I CAN has found that a whole school approach to supporting children's speech can result in an average 50 per cent increase in progress in reading skills.
The report, released today by children’s communication charity I CAN, reveals the extent to which A Chance to Talk met the speech, language and communication needs of 8,000 children aged from four to seven-years-old.
A Chance to Talk offers primary schools ways to work together locally to meet the speech, language and communication needs of their pupils, and to identify and support children who are struggling.
It is based on findings from a pilot of the initiative, developed by I CAN and the Communication Trust with Department for Education funding, which took place in schools across four areas in England between 2010 and 2012.
The report shows that children who took part in the pilot and had delayed language made, on average, three times the ‘normal rate of progress’ in language development of between nine and 18 months after a ten week 'Talk Boost' intervention. The Talk Boost intervention sees teaching assistants deliver small group activities three times a week, focusing on listening and attention, vocabulary, storytelling and conversations.
Up to 80 per cent of children with delayed language moved into the ‘typical’ range of language development, helping to narrow the gap between them and their peers.
According to the report, children with speech, language and communication needs found learning in the classroom easier and were noticeably more confident and sociable.
Schools involved in A Chance to Talk also reported identifying children with speech, language and communication needs (SCLN) earlier on and therefore made more appropriate referrals and were able to spot previously overlooked SLCN.
Around 80 per cent of head teachers and NHS speech and language service managers gave the initiative eight out of ten for providing a cost-effective, value for money model of commissioning.
The report concludes that the initiative met the speech, language and communication needs of all pupils by ensuring learning took place in communication supportive environments, using visual prompts, staff monitoring and adjusting their own language for different children and involving parents with their child’s learning through ‘talk’ homework.
I CAN is now calling for primary schools nationwide to replicate A Chance to talk using their downloadable guide which supports schools to commission children’s speech, language and communication provision.
The charity is working to ensure the model is embedded in local authorities’ local offer under the forthcoming special educational needs and disabilities legislation-included in descriptions of outstanding teaching and used as part of the Pupil Premium.
Edward Timpson, minister for children and families, said, ‘I'm delighted to see the positive results from the A Chance to Talk programme that has been supported by the Department for Education. The effective deployment of NHS Speech and Language Therapy expertise across school clusters is a key feature of the programme, which has also had a really strong impact on children’s progress in reading.’
Virginia Beardshaw, chief executive of I CAN said, ‘A Chance to Talk provides much needed evidence that working on spoken language actually raises standards in reading.
‘The results from A Chance to Talk are exciting because we have identified a strong model that works for children and their families. Not only that, it is perceived by school staff to be cost effective. Our downloadable commissioning guidance for schools is a real first. It helps schools to collaborate in clusters and purchase the services they need to raise standards. This year, I CAN is celebrating its 125th anniversary. A Chance to Talk is an excellent example of our continuing commitment to finding what works because every child deserves a chance to talk.’
A Chance to Talk offers primary schools ways to work together locally to meet the speech, language and communication needs of their pupils, and to identify and support children who are struggling.
It is based on findings from a pilot of the initiative, developed by I CAN and the Communication Trust with Department for Education funding, which took place in schools across four areas in England between 2010 and 2012.
The report shows that children who took part in the pilot and had delayed language made, on average, three times the ‘normal rate of progress’ in language development of between nine and 18 months after a ten week 'Talk Boost' intervention. The Talk Boost intervention sees teaching assistants deliver small group activities three times a week, focusing on listening and attention, vocabulary, storytelling and conversations.
Up to 80 per cent of children with delayed language moved into the ‘typical’ range of language development, helping to narrow the gap between them and their peers.
According to the report, children with speech, language and communication needs found learning in the classroom easier and were noticeably more confident and sociable.
Schools involved in A Chance to Talk also reported identifying children with speech, language and communication needs (SCLN) earlier on and therefore made more appropriate referrals and were able to spot previously overlooked SLCN.
Around 80 per cent of head teachers and NHS speech and language service managers gave the initiative eight out of ten for providing a cost-effective, value for money model of commissioning.
The report concludes that the initiative met the speech, language and communication needs of all pupils by ensuring learning took place in communication supportive environments, using visual prompts, staff monitoring and adjusting their own language for different children and involving parents with their child’s learning through ‘talk’ homework.
I CAN is now calling for primary schools nationwide to replicate A Chance to talk using their downloadable guide which supports schools to commission children’s speech, language and communication provision.
The charity is working to ensure the model is embedded in local authorities’ local offer under the forthcoming special educational needs and disabilities legislation-included in descriptions of outstanding teaching and used as part of the Pupil Premium.
Edward Timpson, minister for children and families, said, ‘I'm delighted to see the positive results from the A Chance to Talk programme that has been supported by the Department for Education. The effective deployment of NHS Speech and Language Therapy expertise across school clusters is a key feature of the programme, which has also had a really strong impact on children’s progress in reading.’
Virginia Beardshaw, chief executive of I CAN said, ‘A Chance to Talk provides much needed evidence that working on spoken language actually raises standards in reading.
‘The results from A Chance to Talk are exciting because we have identified a strong model that works for children and their families. Not only that, it is perceived by school staff to be cost effective. Our downloadable commissioning guidance for schools is a real first. It helps schools to collaborate in clusters and purchase the services they need to raise standards. This year, I CAN is celebrating its 125th anniversary. A Chance to Talk is an excellent example of our continuing commitment to finding what works because every child deserves a chance to talk.’
- For more information and to download the guide visit www.ican.org.uk/achancetotalk
