Oral Language
A child's oral language can affect reading achievement. A long-term study that followed children from age 1 to age 7 found that the content and the style of language used with the children were predictors of reading achievement (Hall & Moats, 1999).
Having a large vocabulary, being able to choose the correct grammatical form to communicate a message, sustaining a conversation, and being motivated to use language in problem-solving contexts are important oral language components that contribute to a child's foundation for formal instruction (Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning, 1998; Snow, Burns, & Griffin, 1998; Clay, 1991).
