Why do many children lack basic language skills?
(Daily Telegraph, 3rd March 2004) Ann Jones is used to getting blank stares. As a primary school teacher of 20 years’ standing, she has seen the communication skills of her classes deteriorate steadily. “Too many children are starting school lacking basic language skills,” she says. “A simple request such as ‘Go to the cupboard and get the pencils, please’ is met with a blank look. Some of them simply don’t know what I am talking about.” Nursery teachers agree with anecdotal evidence that children are less verbally advanced than at any time in recent history. A simple question such as “Would you like apple or orange juice?” leaves many confused and unable to answer. A recent survey of nursery staff carried out by I Can, a children’s charity, revealed that almost all had at least one child in the nursery with communication problems. Ten per cent said they had 10 or more children with difficulties. They reported that growing numbers of pre-school children could not accomplish simple task
Related Questions
- Do homeschooled children need to take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, Basic Skills Tests, or Written Composition Test administered to public school students?
- Does No Child Left Behind support programs to help children build language and pre-reading skills before they start kindergarten?
- What happens to the English language skills of children enrolled in the French Immersion program of LEcole Française du Maine?
