What role does oral language play as part of the second language learning process?

What role does oral language play as part of the second language learning process?

Oral language plays a key role in the language learning process. Oral communication is the foundation of literacy development. Verbal communication skills are fundamental in developing proficiency in reading and writing and are also essential for thinking and learning. Students learn, reflect on what they are learning and communicate their knowledge and understanding through talk. Therefore, while learning a second language, considerable importance is placed on developing speaking skills and communication skills in the second language.

Oral language involves both comprehension and production: listening, speaking, negotiating meaning, reacting and acting appropriately. Language proficiency requires students to play an interactive role in their learning and to engage linguistically in social situations while learning the second language. Two key components of oral language development include:

• the spoken production (a planned statement to communicate information to someone) and
• the spoken interaction (the spontaneous use of language in which a speaker listens to another speaker and then responds immediately to that input).

Through spoken productions and interactions, students give, receive and/or exchange information. They listen to, ask questions about, respond to, express and reflect on ideas, knowledge, perceptions and feelings. Students use their prior knowledge, share their personal experiences, think critically, problem solve and move their own thinking forward, in their second language.

Oral language activities that are authentic, meaningful and anchored to students’ lives, personal interests and experiences are highly motivating for students and encourage them to become actively engaged and dynamic participants in the second language learning process. Student engagement is fostered through topics and situations that are:

Authentic and spontaneous oral communication activities also provide students with a variety of opportunities to learn and to use vocabulary, language and socio-linguistic conventions in the second language or to explore intercultural elements in interactive contexts.

Oral language proficiency is the goal for second language learners. As students continue to develop their oral language skills, they become more confident and competent in their use of the French language and better prepared for authentic conversations and real-life interactions.