Oral Language

Oral language is a prerequisite to literacy growth that teachers can support by building on their students’ linguistic strengths.

Literacy learning is rooted in oral language, which begins developing at birth as children learn about language and the world. It continues when educators build on students’ linguistic strengths through storytelling, peer-to-peer conversations and self-expression.

Check out these resources to learn strategies for developing language-rich classrooms.

Oral Language Resources

Literacy Spotlight: Oral Language

Jump start your knowledge of oral language skills with this two-page summary that highlights why oral language is important, including examples of practice.

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Reflecting on Our Practice: Oral Language

Build a shared understanding about why oral language is important for literacy learning and make note of the effective practices for oral language development in this slide deck. Use it to reinforce your own learning journey or as part of a professional learning session.

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Supporting Literacy and Language for Multilingual Learners Webinar

Discover ways to integrate evidence-based reading practices with linguistically responsive instruction to support the literacy development of multilingual learners in this webinar.

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Oral Language Online Module

Learn how oral language is a building block of early literacy development and explore strategies to cultivate language-rich classrooms that affirm students’ home languages in this self-paced learning module.

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Collaborative Learning Session Guide: Oral Language

Explore this collaborative learning session guide to develop knowledge and reflect on instructional strategies. Learn with and from your peers how to create an asset-oriented approach to oral language development.

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Featured Resources

Click the icons to access the featured resources below.

Explore the Oregon Department of Education Tribal History/Shared History resources.

Watch this video to learn strategies for connecting classroom learning with activities in the home.

Review the Early Literacy Walkthrough Planning and Discussion Guide to support observing and planning for literacy instruction.

Visit the Resource Library for more resources to enhance your literacy instruction.
Resource Library