Communication difficulties in the classroom

Abstract

This paper considers the problems that some children have in processing formal instructional language and producing appropriate word responses. This activity is known as ‘narrative discourse’ and a research study is presented suggesting that when narrative processes are emphasised in learning children achieve greater academic success.

Is oral narrative ability a reliable predictor of reading competence?

“…The ability to arrange ideas into a meaningful structure is viewed as the core element in shifting oracy into literacy (Sage, 1992). Sage (1992) contends that this happens in developmental stages and her work is validated by Westby, Van Dongen and Maggart (1989), who suggest that narrative is the primary mode used by children for reading. Because of the developmental nature of this theory it was decided to use the correlate of chronological age in the study.…”