Oral English in the Primary School

Abstract

We often say that our pupils cannot speak or write English correctly. Have we paused to consider why? We have oral English lessons almost every day, but the pupils get very little opportunity to speak in these lessons. Very often, probably due to lack of discipline, we tell our pupils to ‘Keep quiet and listen’. We proceed to give a series of instructions on how a particular structure is used and then spend the next thirty minutes getting the pupils to read sentences round the class. Most pupils have difficulty reading the sentences and the sentences themselves have no interest value for them. Reading is important but it should not take the place of speech. Good speech is the foundation for good writing. Is it possible for a child who says, ‘I am going to school’ to write ‘I go school’? If the pupils make good progress in their speech, their written work will also improve.