Speech, Language and Communication in Secondary Aged Pupilslicensing.ican.org.uk/sites/licensing.ican.org.uk/files/Evidence/... · Speech, Language and Communication in Secondary

I CAN Talk Series – Issue 10

Speech, Language and Communication in

Secondary Aged Pupils

I CAN is the children’s communication charity.

AW_5066_ICAN_TalkSeries10.indd 1 31/05/2011 17:15

Speech, Language and Communication in Secondary Aged PupilsContents

Introduction .................................. 3

Speech, language and communication continue to develop in adolescence ............ 4

The need for good communication skills in adolescence ............................. 5

Young people with Speech, Language and Communication Needs ................. 6

The impact of poor communication: young people at risk ............................... 9

The issues ................................. 10

•Young people with SLCN – a hidden population

•Secondary schools

•Speaking and listening is not a priority in secondary schools

•21st century communication world

•The lack of support for SLCN at secondary school

•Involvement of parents

Supporting speech, language and communication at secondary – what works ......... 14

•Ensuring communication is embedded at a universal level

•Skilled and confident staff

•Close links with the curriculum

•A functional approach

•A strategy-focused approach

•Support at transition times

•Involving young people

•Opportunities for specialist intervention where difficulties are severe and complex

•Continuing beyond the end of statutory education

Pulling it all together .................... 18

•A model for supporting Speech, Language and Communication Needs in secondary schools

Conclusion ................................. 19

References ................................ 20


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For most young people, language continues to develop throughout the school years and into adulthood. They develop the skills they need to problem solve, build effective relationships, negotiate and tell jokes. However, a significant group of young people find this difficult: those with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).

Despite the importance of communication, and the number of young people with SLCN, there is often limited opportunity in secondary schools for pupils to develop spoken communication skills. There is also limited understanding of, and support for, those with SLCN. Without support, poor communication can impact on a young person’s academic success as well as their social and emotional development.

This paper outlines the main issues in young people’s language and communication during the secondary phase of education. It discusses key influences and issues, and suggests ways forwards.

Introduction

Good communication skills continue to be the foundations of learning, emotional development and socialising throughout a young person’s schooling and onward into the workplace. Young people need effective speech, language and communication skills in order to have a wide range of life choices.

“ For most young people, language continues to develop throughout the school years and into adulthood. ”


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Speech, language and communication continue to develop in adolescence

Speech, language and communication underpin cognitive, emotional and social development and are crucial skills for learning and life. It is still generally assumed that most development of speech and language happens in the early years. However development continues for all children and young people throughout school, adolescence and into adulthood.1 Certain aspects of language develop during secondary school years: complex verbal reasoning, understanding and using figurative language, telling more involved stories and using increasingly sophisticated social communication skills (see figure 1).

The teenage years are also a time of massive brain development and restructuring, when some nerve connections that are not needed during adulthood are ‘pruned’2. During this time, certain language related tasks develop, such as selective attention control, working memory and problem solving. However, as well as this, because of the `pruning’, adolescents can misinterpret emotions such as fear3, and find logical explanations and reasoning difficult.

All of these skills are needed to access both the academic and social curriculum of school, to cope with the demands of adolescence and to ensure a successful onward transition to the workplace.

A key characteristic of adolescent language development is that much of it happens through wide and vociferous reading as well as educational exposure5 and social experiences.6 Young people who experience difficulties with

language often have associated literacy7 and social difficulties. They will therefore find it hard to develop more sophisticated language without support.

Speech, Language and Communication in Secondary Aged Pupils

Figure 1: Language Development in the secondary years

Understanding and reasoning

Vocabulary Sentence structure and narration

Social interaction

General trends through secondary school

Understands longer and more complex instructions.

Pupils use language to solve more complex problems.

Understands figurative language, sarcasm and word play for jokes.

Vocabulary increases. Pupils learn approximately 7-10 words per day.

Understands double meanings and ‘learning vocabulary’ as well as subject words.

Gradually sentences get longer. More complex ideas can be explained.

Stories and accounts become more interesting and engaging.

Use of sophisticated language skills such as persuasion and negotiation to be successful socially.

Can keep up with rapidly changing adolescent talk.

Ability to switch language styles according to situation.

Students develop the ability to reflect on and analyse their language skills e.g. “I’m good at working in groups but I can go on a bit.”

A more detailed summary of later language development can be found on I CAN’s website, ‘What’s typical talk at secondary?4’


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The need for good communication skills in adolescence

In the secondary classroom, language is a fundamental skill for participation in, and access to, most aspects of the educational curriculum.8 Many aspects of written language, such as producing a narrative9, or understanding text10, can be limited by weak oral language skills; by secondary age there is an increasing amount of figurative language in text books.11 The same is also true of ‘teacher talk’: 37% of teacher instructions in secondary schools contain multiple meanings, 20% with at least one idiom.12 As learning becomes more reliant on independent study, language enables pupils to make contact with others; to organise, manage and evaluate experiences; to influence and inform.13

Socially, interactions become more complex and sophisticated.14 Despite mounting concern about the sedentary and technology-dependent 21st century social life of young people, adolescent interaction actually becomes increasingly reliant on competent verbal skills. Being able to hold a conversation15 and to put together sentences into a story or report (narrative)16 is integral to creating and maintaining social relationships right through to adulthood.

Language is integral to a range of everyday personal skills such as telephoning, texting friends and organising independent travel.17 It also plays a key role in the creation and maintenance of social groups, in negotiating norms, status and trust.18 While they are often criticised for their seemingly limited or repetitive language skills, adolescents actually spend more time talking to others than do younger children19, becoming adept at switching between styles or ‘registers’ of language.20 The informal style they use with friends, which includes slang and jargon, is based on figurative language; the ability to use this has been linked to peer acceptance.21

In the workplace, employers value good communication skills in their employees, seeing them as crucial for work22 in an increasingly service-driven world. Yet they also recognise that these are the skills most frequently lacking in new recruits23. ‘Influencing skills’, underpinned by speech and language, are specifically identified as being crucial to the success of business and enterprise. Critically, in the current recession, a recent report from the Institute of Directors found that 80% of employers believed this skills gap affected their ability to capitalise on economic recovery.24

A focus on speech, language, and communication is seen by some as the key for young people to fit into society25, making a case for it to be central to raising attainment – identified as crucial to social mobility and increased life chances.26 Interestingly, language difficulties are identified as a risk factor in becoming NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training).27


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Good communication skills are needed, therefore, in order for all young people to have a positive and successful experience of secondary school, and to have a wide range of life choices on leaving. However, there are a significant number of young people who do not have these communication skills: those with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).

The group of young people identified with SLCN can be divided into two groups: those with long term, persistent SLCN and those with poor language whose needs may be associated with social deprivation.

Speech, Language and Communication in Secondary Aged PupilsYoung people with Speech, Language and Communication Needs

Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)

Young people with SLCN may have problems with producing or understanding spoken language – or with using language in social contexts. SLCN in adolescence fall broadly into two groups:

Some young people have SLCN which are likely to be long term. Some of these have specific and primary speech and language impairments. Others may have difficulties as part of more generalised learning difficulties or another condition such as hearing impairment or Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

In adolescence, with increasing demands made on communication skills, they are most likely to have difficulty with understanding and using more technical and abstract vocabulary, with taking part in conversations, producing longer stretches of spoken language and using appropriate social interaction.

Approximately 10% of young people will have potentially long term SLCN.

Some young people have poor or limited language which is often associated with social disadvantage.

Secondary aged pupils with limited language may have a poor vocabulary, may find it difficult to put their thoughts into words for explanations or to change the style of talking to suit the situation.

Up to 75% of pupils of secondary schools in certain areas of the UK may have limited language.


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I CAN estimates that around 10% of children and young people have SLCN which are likely to be long term or persistent and due to a difficulty learning language. This 10% includes young people who have specific, or primary, language impairment (SLI)28; a review of prevalence studies showed no decline over the 0-16 age range.29 This is likely to be an underestimate as statistics on prevalence of older students with this type of SLCN are scattered and often dependent on numbers referred to specialist speech and language services.30

This identified group of young people does not remain consistent in its make-up over time. While some young people’s SLCN resolve, there is also a group of pupils whose

SLCN may only come to light in secondary school due to increasing social and academic demands.31 In a further group ‘illusory recovery’ has been described, where language difficulties seem to resolve during the primary phase of schooling only to re-emerge during the secondary phase.32

The nature of more persistent language difficulties in older children and young people depends on the severity and type of SLCN33 which can be difficult to define34, and is very varied. However young people continue to have difficulty with both understanding and producing language.35

Figure 2: Characteristics of persistent language difficulties in older children and young people

Areas of Difficulty Description

Narrative Young people may be able to produce long stories but there are still lots of errors36, particularly when asked to give specific information e.g. in an explanation, recounting an event.

Vocabulary Understanding vocabulary seems to worsen over time37.

Social communication

Difficulty joining in and keeping up with conversations38 or tuning into other’s verbally expressed interests39 – symptoms often characteristic of an Autistic Spectrum Disorder40. Generally, in older children, difficulties with the meaning and use of language are more pronounced than grammatical aspects – inappropriate interaction stands out.

Understanding figurative, non-literal language

Difficulty understanding complex sentences such as reversible sentences41 which means that using language for a wider range of purposes such as negotiating, compromise and problem solving can be hard.

Information processing

Working memory capacity and speed of processing42 are affected which means that coping with large amounts of frequently new and complex spoken information will be difficult.


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Speech, Language and Communication in Secondary Aged PupilsYoung people with Speech, Language and Communication Needs

Figure 3: Aspects of the poor language more associated with social deprivation

Language difficulty Description

Restricted vocabulary

Limited use of complex words, though young people may often be aware of the importance of ‘long words’, linking them with intelligence and not ‘fitting in’ socially.45

Poor narrative skills Problems with longer stretches of spoken language such as explanations, even when simple sentence structure is adequate.46

Inappropriate register

Difficulty moving from one style of language to another leading to appearing rude or inappropriate by, e.g. using an overly casual style of talking.47

There is growing awareness of the second larger group of pupils who may have poor, or limited language skills which are not due to a difficulty learning language but will still significantly impact on a young person’s experience of school. SLCN of this type are often associated with social disadvantage.

In one secondary school in an inner city area 75% of pupils had communication difficulties that hampered relationships, behaviour and learning.43 In another area, there were twice as many unidentified language difficulties in a secondary school in a disadvantaged area than neighbouring schools in less deprived areas.44

Aspects of the poor language more associated with social deprivation are:


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Although there is a great deal of variation in adolescence, young people with SLCN have been shown to be at a greater risk of developing emotional, social and behavioural difficulties, mental health issues, lower academic achievement, and school performance failure.48 Without support this can potentially lead to unemployment and relationship difficulties49 and in some cases anti-social and even criminal behaviour.50

The scale of the impact of poor communication in adolescence has been found to depend on a range of factors: the type and severity of SLCN51, non-verbal IQ, early literacy and language skills52 and social/economic factors.53

SLCN during this time significantly impact on literacy54 – the main vehicle for teaching, learning and testing. These associated literacy difficulties themselves increasingly limit educational outcomes.55 Although recent surveys show a shift towards young people having more opportunity to stay in education56 and take more external exams than they did in the 1990s, their peers continue to outperform them, gaining twice as many qualifications at the end of compulsory education.57

Some young people with SLCN manage the academic demands of schools, but struggle socially.58 Despite a desire for social interaction, adolescents with SLCN are found to be significantly more shy59, and have poorer quality of friendships.60 Coping with the speed and topic change in conversations can be difficult61, leading to low self-esteem.62

Although there is uncertainty around the exact relationship63, there is a strong correlation between SLCN and emotional/behavioural difficulties. This is so with both internalising (e.g. anxiety, depression)64 and externalising (e.g. anti-social behaviours)65 behaviour difficulties in adolescence. Consensus to date is that it is not a straightforward causal relationship66, but that it may indeed be more complex during adolescence, particularly if language difficulties were previously unidentified.67

Poor educational and social attainments can both contribute towards limiting the life chances of young people. Adolescents with SLCN are found to be less independent than their peers – particularly in self-organisational tasks68, while 88% of unemployed young men in one study were found to have language difficulties.69 The resultant cost to the nation in terms of increased take-up in services and loss of earnings70,71 highlights communication as crucial and yet often forgotten skills.

The impact of poor communication: young people at risk


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With communication identified as being crucial in adolescence, and knowing the potential risks associated with SLCN – a focus on communication in secondary schools with good support for those with SLCN seems obvious.

There are many reasons why this is often not the case. Understanding why there is such limited provision given the prevalence of young people

with poor communication is important particularly at a time when more not less support is needed to make sense of lessons.72 The challenges for young people with SLCN in secondary schools have been described as a ‘cycle of neglect’73, many of these are interrelated and impact on each other. Based on this cycle, figure 4 summarises the issues in this section.

Speech, Language and Communication in Secondary Aged PupilsThe issues

Figure 4: Vicious circle of support for speech, language and communication needs at secondary


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Figure 5

10

0

Primary Secondary

20

30

SLCN7.8%

BESD30.3%

BESD18.5%

SLCN 26.5%

DfE (2010) National Statistics for First Release Special Educational Needs

SLCN in adolescents are often described as ‘hidden’. The profile of SLCN changes over time; social communication difficulties becoming more prominent75 and the nature of difficulties becoming more complex. Associated behaviour, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) or literacy difficulties may be most visible and be identified as priorities. Language difficulties can be misinterpreted – a pause for processing can appear as sullenness.76 Good ‘surface’ language skills77 or clear speech78 may make everyday conversation manageable, effectively masking underlying SLCN. Interestingly, studies based on young people self-report suggest that as they get older they are more likely to purposefully hide their difficulties.79

Additionally, the lack of specialists80 such as speech and language therapists in secondary schools coupled with lack of confidence of school staff81 and limited knowledge of typical language development in adolescence, mean that it is hard to identify when students fall behind.82

For these reasons, identifying SLCN at this age can be difficult for school staff; even for the specialist, accurate ‘diagnosis’ can be a challenge.83 Difficulty in finding appropriate assessment tools84 for the complex nature of SLCN at this age can result in either under85 or over86 identification.

Secondary schoolsThe move from primary to secondary school means different vocabulary, subjects, curriculum, teachers, teaching style and organisation. This can be challenging for all pupils. Shifting from one teacher style to the next, understanding technical terminology, making links between different subject areas and managing less structured social ‘free’ time are all dependent on pupils having effective, flexible language and communication skills.87

Young people with SLCN – a hidden populationDespite the significant prevalence of young people with language difficulties in secondary schools, school census data report a fall in the numbers of young people identified with SLCN compared to primary school (see figure 5). Studies do not support this – over time young people with SLCN make progress in language development but remain significantly behind their peers; the underlying language deficit remains.74 What is important is that with continued support, they have the potential to use their language skills to do well at school and have a range of life chances; the need for support continues.

The possible reasons for the fall in reported numbers are varied, a central one being the difficulty in identifying language difficulties.


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For young people with SLCN, most of whom are in mainstream schools88, secondary school can be particularly demanding. Young people themselves identify secondary as being more difficult than their subsequent college experience.89 Parents of pupils with SLCN express concern about the academic focus in secondary schools90 as well as quality of life issues such as friendships, social skills and choice.91 Despite a growing number of effective packages that prepare children for the transition between the two, there is evidence that continued support and resources are needed.92

Speaking and listening is not a priority in secondary schoolsSecondary aged young people themselves recognise the importance of effective communication and can see that they encounter communication difficulties at school.93 To develop these skills pupils need opportunities to interact. Yet one survey of secondary schools in an inner city identified in some lessons that adults talked for up to 90% of the time.94 With raising attainment continuing to be a key driver for schools, and the move to a knowledge-based curriculum seen by the Government as key to achieving this95, the importance of a focus on speaking and listening will need to be positioned as a priority.

Initiatives over the years such as the National Oracy Project96, dialogic teaching97 and the most recent speaking and listening resources98 have resulted in increased emphasis on talk as a tool for learning.99 However in many schools there continues to be a focus on written language100, with lessons often dominated by teacher talk which is rarely used to help improve spoken language.101 Many adults prefer a directive style of teaching and learning.102

21st century communication worldThe adolescent world is rich in communication; texting, social networking and mobile phones – but little of this involves face-to-face interaction. A recent report highlighted the fact that on average, 5-16 year olds spend 6 hours in front of a screen.103 While benefits in knowledge and skills development, including communication104 have been identified, there are also concerns. This expanding use of technology changes the way the brain processes information, potentially making us less adept at face-to-face social skills, such as reading facial expressions or grasping the emotional context of a subtle gesture.105

Technological advances also bring huge communication opportunities106; expressing viewpoints through online lobbying, for example, has increased political involvement of adolescents.107 But however effective virtual communication becomes, the message from employers is that young people will always need effective face-to-face communication skills in order to succeed in the world of work.108 In addition to this, the kind of skills we use when surfing the internet or searching for information are not necessarily the ones we need for work and life – the ability to quickly read, digest and analyse large quantities of written language depend on complex language.109

The lack of support for SLCN at secondary schoolA national survey of provision for children with SLCN carried out in 2000 reported there to be a lack of support for young people with SLCN in secondary schools.110 While there is evidence of some service development, the recent Bercow Review of Services for Children and Young People

Speech, Language and Communication in Secondary Aged PupilsThe issues


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with SLCN (2008) shows little change. In some areas, for example, there is no funded speech and language therapy service for adolescents with SLCN.111

There is frequent reference to the ‘window of opportunity’ for language learning in the early years, along with a school of thought that sees the secondary years as ‘too late’ to make a difference.112 Early intervention is a concept often misinterpreted because it is almost exclusively applied to the early years. It is more usefully understood as intervening promptly before SLCN has an impact, whatever the age.113 The focus of services in the early and primary years is clearly important, but for those who work with older children it is frustrating. Given what is known about the potential impact of SLCN, some feel that the predictable burden on the taxpayer described on page 9 could be lessened through providing support in secondary schools.114 And yet support is often viewed as inappropriate or a luxurious ‘extra’ to what should be happening anyway through the existing English curriculum.115

Involvement of parentsParental involvement in education has a significant effect on educational achievement well into adolescence and adulthood.116 For young people with SLCN this is even more important; parents continue to be a vital source of support socially and emotionally as well as academically.117 Parents often have different views of young people’s communication strengths and needs because of their knowledge of them over time118, so maintaining an effective relationship between home and school is important. However this is often difficult when, typically, contact with school becomes less as pupils move through secondary school.119

“ Early intervention is a concept often misinterpreted because it is almost exclusively applied to the early years.”


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With such a complex picture of interrelated issues, breaking the vicious circle described in figure 4 can be a challenge. What is important to know is that for all young people’s speech language and communication120, as well as for those with SLCN,121 support is improving, however the picture is not consistent across the UK.

For all children and young people, the developmental ‘surge’ which happens during adolescence can be a further ‘window of opportunity’ in which young people can shape the way they communicate through the activities in which they engage.122 Providing them with the right activities, such as learning to order their thoughts or understand abstract concepts, can use this opportunity to ‘hard wire’ the brain.

The complex profile of young people with SLCN that this paper describes can mean that it can be difficult to know where to start in planning intervention.123 However, despite evidence of the persistent nature of language impairment, it is also recognised that with the right support young people with complex SLCN can make good progress – and this is a crucial factor.

An emerging evidence base, together with practice-sharing through special interest groups and websites shows that there is no one ‘right way’. However, it is not where support happens that is important124, but the quality of that support which is most crucial.125 This begs the question, what is high quality support for young people’s speech, language and communication in secondary schools? This section draws on evidence to explore key features of effective practice in secondary schools, for all children and young people and also for those with SLCN.

Ensuring communication is embedded at a universal levelFor all children and young people, there is increasing evidence to show that a focus on pupils’ spoken language in secondary schools can have an impact on achievement. Using speaking and listening activities to help pupils think for themselves has been highlighted as an indicator of an effective school.126 In one project, introducing whole school level activities such as a consistent approach to reinforcing good listening in class, led to improved results in English.127

A number of initiatives including I CAN’s Secondary Talk Programme128 and Afasic’s practical resource129 offer support to develop communication-friendly environments in secondary schools. Coupling this with consultant support and classroom-based activities, as in I CAN’s Secondary Talk Programme can have an impact on practice in secondary schools.130

For children and young people with SLCN, this whole school approach is seen as essential in establishing a change in how schools think about communication difficulties.131

Skilled and confident staffFor all children and young people including those with SLCN, what adults do can impact hugely on pupils’ communication and classroom performance. Simple strategies such as allowing more processing time132 or directing positive feedback towards social as well as academic behaviours133 have been shown to increase engagement and classroom performance.134

There is an increase in the number of materials which support school staff in working with all

Speech, Language and Communication in Secondary Aged PupilsSupporting speech, language and communication at secondary – what works


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young people’s language and communication (e.g. the Inclusion Development Programme135, undergraduate SEN training modules136, I CAN Secondary Talk137) and with those with SLCN (Elklan138, Language for Learning139, I CAN Secondary Talk140). These initiatives have been effective in raising awareness of speech, language and communication as whole school priorities141, but are yet to be considered mandatory training. Initiatives using guided learning through portfolio work142, the use of Action Learning Sets143, or concept maps144 have been successful in supporting the transfer of learning into practice – often a challenge in secondary schools. One project which trained teaching assistants and provided ongoing mentoring showed an impact on pupil’s language, social and educational outcomes.145

Crucial to the support for young people with SLCN is the need to recognise the changing role of specialist support such as speech and language therapists (SLTs): a role, which is more flexible and varied involving team teaching146 or taking on the role of ‘counsellor’.147 This has been described as a shift in the way speech and language therapy is perceived, a move from ‘case load’ to ‘workload’.148

Close links with the curriculum For all children and young people, despite concerns about how it aligns with the content needed for exams149, building skills-teaching into the curriculum has been shown to have an impact both on the quality of teaching and on social and academic outcomes for pupils.150

For children and young people with SLCN, working closely with the curriculum is particularly important given its language demands. This

represents a significant shift in approach – away from remediating language impairment, to supporting access to learning151 thereby making language intervention relevant to the older pupil.152

Although uncommon in secondary schools153, an approach where specialists work closely together on aspects of the curriculum has reported benefits for both teacher and pupil.154 Working through narratives is a way of doing this, through scaffolding story or report writing155, but also through creating a communication-based curriculum156 or through focused vocabulary teaching.157

A functional approachAdolescents can continue to need support with aspects of language such as vocabulary and grammar.158 However, it is also important to focus on associated emotional and social aspects such as friendship or independence159, prioritised by young people themselves.160

A focus on these functional aspects of communication is useful for all young people’s development; the increasing number of resources, such as BT communication skills DVD’s161 which support children’s social communication, reflect this. A whole school approach, for example through the SEAL programme (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning)162 or circle time163 can develop communication skills such as group skills, teamwork, empathy and emotional literacy.

For young people with SLCN with good ‘surface’ language skills, there is a danger that they will not get the support they need with longer term emotional and social impacts164 if a holistic approach is not taken. Successful programmes include training young people as ‘buddies’ to


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positively resolve familiar school scenarios165, social skills training166 or specific teaching of social skills through class-based circle time.167

A strategy-focused approachSuccessful learning occurs when pupils reflect on their strengths and difficulties and know what they are aiming for.168 The same applies to language learning. Metalinguistic skills, being able to reflect on and analyse language, is central to developing language in adolescence.169 Pupils need to know how rather than just what to learn; strategies rather than skills.

For all young people reflecting, planning and goal setting underpin the ‘Assessment for Learning Strategy’170 which has impacted positively on pupil engagement and rates of progression.171 Language plays an important role in this for problem solving172 and in classroom dialogue which enables pupils to develop their thinking and to learn from each other.173

Young people with SLCN can find the skills needed to set goals and to plan difficult174 and so also need have the purpose and impact of what they are asked to do made explicit.175 Strategies such as listening to parents as models, practising words and asking for help have been identified as useful by young people.176 In one study, teaching strategies such as the use of visual organisers, ‘pause time’ for planning, and ways of recognising feedback to support self monitoring resulted in positive outcomes in both written and spoken language.177

Support at transition timesThe transition from primary to secondary school can be a potentially difficult time for all children and young people academically, organisationally and socially. The amount of support given by the secondary school in skills such as note taking and ‘how to write an essay’ is crucial to ensuring a successful experience.178

Not surprisingly, because of their difficulties in all of these areas, both children and their families with SLCN can find this a particularly stressful time.179 Groups held during the summer holidays before making the transition to secondary schools are useful in lowering anxiety and preparing for both social and academic changes.180 Successful elements have been the use of pupil passports, practising using a timetable and exploring new and different vocabulary.181

Involving young peopleListening to the voices of all children and young people has been shown to have an impact on policy and practice, on learning, confidence – and also on communication skills.182 Young people value a focus on communication in school, and are very able to say what adults can do to support this.183

Children and young people with SLCN can reflect on their language strengths and difficulties184 and develop good insight and awareness of the outcomes they want.185 Involving young people in assessment186 or activities187 shows that they very often have different perspectives and priorities than adults188, which can be valuable in planning intervention.



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While some young people may feel support is unnecessary189, others give insight into what is most helpful such as explicit teaching of vocabulary and visual support190 or use of colour coding.191 Without this involvement, there is a risk of getting the intervention focus wrong.192 With it, there is evidence that it can contribute to improved engagement and behaviour.193

Opportunities for specialist intervention where difficulties are severe and complexFor children and young people with significant and often specific SLCN there is a growing body of evidence to show the benefit of focused, specialist intervention. Young people with significant SLCN continue to need to be explicitly taught language skills194 but this needs to be planned within the context of a secondary environment.195 This can be challenging; often ‘off the shelf’ programmes may not be appropriate due to the diverse nature of language impairment.196 However, it is both possible and effective. The involvement of specialists such as speech and language therapists is crucial – either through direct intervention or training others. Groups run by trained teaching assistants, focusing on developing narrative or vocabulary skills and planned into a mainstream timetable schedule, showed improved language skills.197 Likewise, specialised and differentiated speech and language therapy programmes, such as visual support for learning grammar198 integrated into the curriculum in specialist settings can support young people to achieve a full range of academic and social outcomes.199, 200

Continuing beyond the end of statutory education Communication continues to play an important role post-secondary school and onward into the world of work.201 For all young people integrating communication skills into vocational studies can enhance self-confidence, allay anxiety and extend opportunity.202

Very few colleges offer specialist support for young people with SLCN. However, evidence of the positive impact this can have on psycho-social outcomes203 and on successful transitions to employment or further training204 suggests there is a need for this continued support. Despite continuing academic and literacy difficulties, students themselves are generally more positive about post-16 provision than their secondary school; good social networks being a key factor in this.205 The growing number of resources available to support the transition into the workplace with a focus on communication skills (BT Personal Skills Journey206, National Literacy Trust Words for Work207, I CAN Secondary Talk) is positive.


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Speech, Language and Communication in Secondary Aged PupilsPulling it all together

A model for supporting Speech, Language and Communication Needs in secondary schools Knowing where to start breaking the ‘vicious circle’ described on page 10 as well as how to organise support in a complex secondary school environment is very hard. Because of the heterogeneity and complexity of young people’s needs, an impairment-focused or individual intervention approach on its own is often considered inappropriate with this age group.208 Many favour a model which focuses on life-long learning, functional outcomes, and a greater emphasis on a whole school approach to language support.209

The key features identified on pages 14-17 can form underpinning, evidenced principles. However, currently, in the UK there is no cohesive, integrated system for supporting SLCN in secondary aged students210 and little is known about how models should develop.211 The need for an overarching model of speech, language and communication which is meaningful to secondary schools has been identified, together with information for school managers which sets out a business case for support.212 A recent publication from The Communication Trust aims to do this.213

The experience of those who have developed successful models in secondary schools emphasise the need for flexibility using a mixture of approaches.214 One service planned a combination of staff development, environmental modifications and both direct and indirect intervention in and beyond the classroom in response to an initial audit.215 I CAN’s Secondary Talk works with schools to link language and communication to their own identified priorities, and offers a menu of activity-based packages addressing different aspects of language and communication. This has been shown to be effective in initiating whole school change.216 A project in Edinburgh found joint working between SLT and teacher in the classroom to be the most successful way of effective sustainable change in secondary schools.217 What all of these initiatives share is a whole school approach with close collaboration between education and specialist colleagues.


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Conclusion

There is increasing evidence to suggest a direct link between good communication skills and improved outcomes for adolescents in terms of attainment, social and emotional well being and behaviour – as well as improved life chances. Unfortunately, the reverse is also true. With poor communication skills, young people’s outcomes and opportunities are limited. And yet increasingly we are aware of the large number of students in secondary schools who have poor language or more long-term SLCN.

It can be difficult to see why there is not more of an emphasis on communication skills in secondary schools, nor why support for young people’s SLCN is piecemeal rather than consistent across the UK.

We know that SLCN is persistent – during adolescence it changes, is often not identified and that there is often not enough support. We do not know enough about the numbers of young people with SLCN, nor about what works for this group of young people. So it’s not surprising that professionals feel inadequately prepared to work with them during adolescence. There is a pressing need for more evidence to help us understand the needs of adolescents with SLCN and what works to support them.

This paper summarises key features of high quality support for young people’s communication.We continue to need an evidenced, whole school approach to supporting this essential life skill in all children and young people.


20


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212 Ayre, A and Roulstone, S (2009) Transition to secondary school: supporting pupils with speech, language and communication needs at www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk

213 The Communication Trust (2009) Speech, Language and Communication Information for Secondary Schools

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215 Dobson, S (2008) Working with adolescents with communication impairment in secondary schools: the collaborative challenge presentation at NAPLIC conference

216 www.ican.org.uk/secondarytalk

217 Nash, M (2009) Supporting secondary students with SLCN within mainstream secondary schools: towards curriculum relevant intervention, presentation at The Communication Trust conference: Developing a workforce to support speech, language and communication for all children and young people


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I CAN

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I CAN Talk SeriesI CAN Talk is a series of reports exploring contemporary issues in children’s speech, language and communication. I CAN Talk reports review current research and literature and offer practical evidence based solutions to inform debate on speech and language and to support practitioners, parents and policy makers.

I CAN Talk: Speech, Language and Communication Needs and Literacy Difficulties Issue 1

I CAN Talk: The Cost to the Nation of Children’s Poor Communication Issue 2

I CAN Talk: The Cost to the Nation of Children’s Poor Communication (Scotland Edition) Issue 3

I CAN Talk: Language and Social Exclusion Issue 4

I CAN Talk: Speech, Language and Communication and the Children’s Workforce (I CAN / The Communication Trust) Issue 5

I CAN Talk: Speech, Language and Communication Needs and Primary School-aged Children Issue 6

I CAN Talk: Speech, Language and Communication Needs and the Early Years Issue 7

I CAN Talk: Skills for work, skills for life Issue 8

I CAN Talk: Children with severe SLCN Issue 9

Author: Mary Hartshorne Reviewed by: Dr Judy Clegg, University of Sheffield

© I CAN 2011

For further information on I CAN’s work visit our websites: www.ican.org.uk www.talkingpoint.org.uk


Documents

Speech, Language and Communication in Secondary Aged Pupilslicensing.ican.org.uk/sites/licensing.ican.org.uk/files/Evidence/... · Speech, Language and Communication in Secondary