Competent communicators are sensitive to the needs of different audiences and the ways in which the purpose of a communication shapes the kinds of ideas and information selected and the way in which they are presented. Depending on whether they are explaining something, arguing, persuading, or telling a story, good communicators have learned how to vary their organizational strategies. They adapt the level of detail they provide and the language they use according to the context of the communication. Throughout the school years, oral language is both a means whereby students learn about reading and a goal of reading. Listening and speaking aid reading comprehension whether the teacher is sharing a book aloud with students or students are discussing a text they have read.
Discussions guide students to respond to the meanings and interpretations of texts they read.
Students make predictions as they read and either confirm or adjust those predictions based on verbal interactions with others. Discussions can reveal differences in interpretation, support for or evidence against a particular interpretation, and lead to shared meaning and deeper understanding. Listening and speaking permit students to respond to text and make connections before, during, and after reading. To ensure that they can communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences, all students need to learn standard English. As students adapt and modify their language to suit different purposes, they become more proficient and efficient communicators.