Language for learning
As humans we have the capacity to be very specific in our use of language, for example:
- Animals might have sounds to make to warn of danger, but we can actually describe specifically what this danger is!
- We can talk about things that can't be seen, i.e., that are distant in time and space.
- We can talk about things which have no shape or form (abstract things). As a child proceeds through primary school the language used in the classroom often becomes more abstract.
- We can use language in creative and novel ways which enables us to say things that have never been said before, and people who share our language can understand what we mean.
When children use language for learning they may:
- express an opinion,
- challenge others' ideas,
- exchange views,
- solve problems (i.e. use language to reflect and analyse),
- make suggestions,
- build on others' ideas,
- seek or give information (ask or answer questions),
- seek or give feedback (ask or answer questions),
- give or follow instructions,
- agree or disagree,
- clarify confirm,
- negotiate or evaluate,
- report, describe, explain or summarise,
- compare or classify, or
- tell their own story, retell a story, or recount an event