Speech & Language

Understanding Spoken Language

A child must be able to understand what is being said to them before they can express it. Understanding language can encompass other skills, such as attention and listening, understanding vocabulary, verbal reasoning, and working memory.

What Difficulties May Look Like:

  • May give irrelevant answers
  • May not respond to questions
  • May have difficulty understanding implied meaning
  • May need instructions to be repeated several times
  • May watch others to work out what to do.

Impact Of Difficulties:

  • May have poor reading comprehension
  • May show disruptive behaviours, become quiet / withdrawn or look lost, as they are unable to understand what is being asked
  • May not recognise when they have not understood and may not ask for clarification
  • May appear like they’ve not paid attention
  • May avoid, opt out or abandon tasks.
Universal Strategies

Adult Use of Language

When supporting children with their understanding of language there are many things that adults around them can do in their everyday interactions to make these more accessible: 

  • Focus attention - gain pupil’s attention first e.g. by using their name
  • Questions – be aware of the complexity of questions. Give pupil enough time to respond to questions
  • Consider simplifying your language e.g. use shorter sentences, simpler vocabulary, explicit instructions
  • Recording key points – provide opportunities for pupil to draw or write key points
  • Instructions – say things in the order you want the pupil to do them, break into chunks, repeat if required
  • Slower rate of speech – slow down your talking and pause to allow processing time
  • Check understanding – by asking pupil to repeat key points and encouraging them to say when they have not understood.

Visual Support

Instructions, questions and explanations should be supported visually and referred to explicitly:

  • Colour coded symbols and signs to support understanding of questions such as when, why or how
  • Visual timetable to show the structure of the day
  • Visual task plan for pupils to refer back to
  • Natural gesture and/or point to pictures to highlight key words
  • Demonstrate wherever possible
  • Write key points and vocab on the board.

Targeted Interventions 

Who Can Help?

You can access Speech and Language support by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays).

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