English Curriculum Overview
The English curriculum is designed to offer children a language experience which integrates oral language, reading and writing. The English Curriculum notes that language is crucial in the learning process.
Children learn about language, and they also learn through language.
Oral Language
Oral language is of particular importance throughout the curriculum, as it is central to the development
of the child's general language ability. Talk and discussion are encouraged in every curriculum area. Through oral language activity children:
Reading
The approach to reading presented in the English Curriculum is based on this integrated language experience. From the earliest years children should experience a print-rich environment in which they have ready access to books. As their reading abilities develop, children:
The ability to write clearly and expressively is developed through the process of writing. Children:
Children learn about language, and they also learn through language.
Oral Language
Oral language is of particular importance throughout the curriculum, as it is central to the development
of the child's general language ability. Talk and discussion are encouraged in every curriculum area. Through oral language activity children:
- develop their ability to communicate and use language
socially - develop cognitive skills
- develop reading and writing skills
- enrich their language experience and imaginative
powers.
Reading
The approach to reading presented in the English Curriculum is based on this integrated language experience. From the earliest years children should experience a print-rich environment in which they have ready access to books. As their reading abilities develop, children:
- read for pleasure and information
- learn to locate and use books for a variety of
purposes - develop the higher order comprehension skills
- learn to read for both functional and social
purposes.
The ability to write clearly and expressively is developed through the process of writing. Children:
- have opportunities to write for a variety of purposes, for
different audiences and in a range of genres - develop the ability to self-correct their own writing,
through a consistent experience of drafting, editing and
redrafting - develop a command of the conventions of grammar, spelling and
punctuation, and progressively become independent
writers.