Oral language is the heart of literacy and learning. It’s fundamental to a child’s educational journey, serving as the foundation for reading, comprehension, communication, and social interaction. Students need to understand and be understood to thrive. Yet despite the significant attention given to phonics, and literacy more generally, oral language often remains overlooked.

Language delays are common. Estimates suggest that 1 in 12 students in the United States have a voice, speech, or language disorder. Of students receiving special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), 19% have speech and language impairments – approximately 1.4 million students. Furthermore, while any student can experience a language delay, a significant correlation exists between such delays and socioeconomic status. Language difficulties unsurprisingly are also common among English Language Learners.