Introduction

Children have a natural ability to develop language and effective communication skills - particularly when supported by a language-rich environment in the home, early childhood setting and classroom. However, for a number of reasons, some children have mild to moderate speech language difficulties, which may not be apparent until they start school.

Many of these difficulties can be overcome by making use of the stimulating activities and environments surrounding the child. By sharing information, planning and working together, families, whänau and teachers can find solutions which in turn help the student gain skills and confidence. This close partnership and process also supports students, families and whänau for whom English may be a second language.

A good listening environment is crucial to successful classroom learning. Some open plan spaces and large classrooms provide acoustic challenges for the student with speech and language difficulties. There are practical strategies in this booklet on how to meet these challenges.

This resource is for classroom teachers with students who have mild to moderate speech and language difficulties. It focuses on students in Years 1 to 3, but many of the strategies included would also be appropriate for senior students.

Parents will find this resource provides practical strategies that can also be used at home and a useful insight into how teachers support children with language difficulties.

Students with severe speech and language difficulties will need the specialised intervention of a speech-language therapist. These are students for example who stutter, or who have severe problems with a husky or nasal voice, speech that is very difficult to understand or a diagnosed language impairment.

A student may have mild to moderate language difficulties when they find it hard to:

• Understand and interpret verbal instructions
• Contribute verbally to small group or whole class discussions
• Retell a simple story
• Distinguish verb tenses, pronouns and plurals
• Complete a rhyming pattern.

Teachers provide a language environment crucial to learning. They use language to build appropriate learning contexts, and the curriculum to enhance and develop students' communication skills. Using some focused strategies in these areas will help students resolve mild to moderate language difficulties.