Vocabulary and Language Development

 

At Our Lady of the Rosary, we recognise that early language is the foundation for children’s learning, wellbeing, and future success. Strong spoken language skills help children to think clearly, make meaning, and form positive relationships. Because of this, we prioritise high-quality language experiences from the very start of a child’s journey with us.

 

Early Language Support: NELI Pre-School (Nursery)

In Nursery, we use NELI Pre-School, a programme designed to strengthen early communication skills.

Research shows that children’s language at age four is a strong predictor of later outcomes. With this in mind, staff offer a language-rich environment where children hear, notice, and practise new words every day.

NELI Pre-School includes:

• Whole-class language sessions, stories, and talk activities
• Play-based practice, where adults model and extend language
• Small-group or individual support, where appropriate

The programme helps children to:

• Build their listening and attention skills
• Understand and use new vocabulary
• Take turns in conversation
• Express themselves confidently

Adults respond sensitively to children’s communication, modelling words and phrases, giving time to think, and encouraging talk through play.

 

Targeted Intervention: NELI (Reception)

In Reception, children continue to be supported through the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI). This programme is grounded in strong research and is proven to accelerate children’s language progress.

NELI supports children to develop:

• Understanding of spoken language
• Use of vocabulary in full sentences
• Narrative and storytelling skills
• Confidence in communication

Sessions are delivered in small groups and one-to-one, helping children who may need extra language input to make strong progress. This early support can have a positive impact on later learning, reading, and social development.

 

A Whole-School Approach to Vocabulary

As children move through Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, vocabulary continues to be taught deliberately and thoughtfully. We believe that developing a broad vocabulary helps children:

• Understand new ideas
• Access texts across the curriculum
• Express themselves clearly in speech and writing

 

Word Aware

Across the school, we draw on the Word Aware approach to teaching vocabulary.

Teachers:

• Identify useful and challenging vocabulary in lessons
• Teach new words clearly
• Revisit language regularly in different contexts
• Use visuals, actions, and examples to help children understand and remember

Children are given regular opportunities to use new vocabulary so that words become familiar, meaningful, and functional.

 

Everyday, Ambitious and Subject-Specific Words

We help children build a rich vocabulary that includes:

• Everyday words used in conversation
• Ambitious language that enriches spoken and written expression
• Subject-specific language that supports learning in areas such as RE, science, history, and maths

Developing this breadth of vocabulary enables children to engage more deeply with the curriculum and share their thinking with clarity.

 

Vocabulary Across the Curriculum

Teachers consider useful language when planning learning and select key words that will help children understand new concepts. This vocabulary is introduced and revisited so that children can apply it confidently in discussion, reading, and writing.

Because of this consistent exposure, children encounter the same helpful language in different lessons, making it easier to store and apply with increasing precision.

 

Talk-Rich Classrooms

We value talk as a core learning tool. Across the school, children are encouraged to:

• Ask questions
• Use new vocabulary when speaking
• Explain and justify their ideas
• Listen to others’ viewpoints

Adults model language clearly and support children by providing sentence structures, giving thinking time, and prompting them to elaborate. This builds confidence, fluency, and positive communication habits.