ON DEMAND: Oral Language: A Foundational Component of Comprehension

Oral Language: A Foundational Component of Comprehension

Oral language is a crucial foundation for reading comprehension and supports effective decoding strategies. This presentation will explore the key components of comprehension and the underlying reasons students struggle with reading comprehension. Attendees will gain insights into how oral language instruction can be targeted for diverse learners, including multilingual students. Through modeling and practical examples, this session will provide research-backed strategies that can be applied immediately in various teaching settings—whether in whole group, small group, or one-on-one instruction. The session’s goal is to highlight the importance of oral language instruction and offer actionable practices to enhance students' comprehension skills.

Objectives:

• Define Oral Language and its role in comprehension
• Identify the key components of comprehension and the skills necessary for proficient comprehension
• Discuss the similarities between spoken language and written language
• Examine underlying causes of comprehension difficulties
• Emphasize the role of oral language development as a foundational component of reading comprehension
• Present effective instructional practices for whole group, small group, or one-on-one settings
• Discuss the benefits of oral language instruction as a scaffold for multilingual learners

PRICING

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Andrea Thomas, M.Ed., CALT-QI, SLDS

Andrea Thomas serves as the Director of Online Certification Programs at Neuhaus Education Center. She holds a Master of Education degree from Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from Texas A&M University.

After completing SMU’s Learning Therapy Program, Andrea founded a private practice in Northwest Ohio, where she specialized in language therapy. She has extensive experience providing therapy in both public and private schools and has served as an adjunct professor at Lourdes University.

• Event registration is non-refundable upon purchase.
• Recordings will be made available until March 28, 2026.