Therefore, language use is the focus for the English language arts program. The aim of the English language arts K-12 program is to graduate a literate person who is competent and confident in using language for both functional and aesthetic purposes. These general goals are developed through the foundational and learning objectives found in the Objectives section of this guide. They are also supported by the Common Essential Learnings. The following principles underlie the English language arts program.
Students refine their language by using language in purposeful and meaningful situations.
They learn to talk by talking, to understand oral language by listening, to write by writing, and to read by reading. Language learning thrives when students are engaged in the meaningful use of language in a variety of oral and written communication tasks. All forms of communication are equally important. One is not competent in the language until one can demonstrate that competence in all four areas. The language arts strands are interrelated and interdependent .