3. Oral and Written
Language
Closely related
Vocabulary is quite predicative of reading achievement
Early knowledge of the functions and uses of oral and
written language is important to successful literacy
acquisition
Develop interaction opportunities for children to interact
with those who model language functions.
4. Components of Language
Content (‘ideas’)
Labels; vocabularies; meanings; concepts; relationships
Form
Structure; sound
Phonology
Morphology
Syntax
Use
5. Phonology
Phonemes—smallest linguistic units of sound that can
signal a meaning difference
English has 45 phonemes or speech sounds
Phonology—rules for combining and patterning
phonemes within the language
6. Morphology
Morphology is the rule system that governs the
structure of words and word forms.
Morphemes—smallest unit of language that convey
meaning
E.g., root words; affixes
Important part of word study
7. Syntax
Syntax is the order of words in sentences and the
rules for determining the order.
Use direct, non-convoluted syntax for instruction with
students having reading difficulties
These students often misread syntax.
8. Use
Pragmatics—Purposes or functions of
communication
Communication style/register
Occasions
Whom am I speaking with?
