Why this approach is important

In traditional classrooms, the teacher is the main source of spoken language and textbooks are the main source of written language. Lack of time and limited resources may discourage supplementing these with alternatives.

Students’ language and literacy development nevertheless benefits enormously from exposure to, and engagement with, varied sources of natural speech and writing. By enriching your students’ input with varied meaningful examples of spoken and written communication you will stimulate their imagination while increasing their understanding and production of words and phrases relating to a range of subjects. If you incorporate examples of your students’ home language into the classroom, you will demonstrate that their additional linguistic resources are valued and provide opportunities for their classmates to appreciate the different cultures and traditions they are associated with. Creating a language-rich classroom will thus have a positive impact on all your students’ learning.

This unit suggests a number of ways in which you can start to make your classroom more language-rich.