Language is an important way in which humans communicate with each other. Language is not always only written or oral, it can be a combination of words, symbols, gestures and body movement. As an example, Australian Sign Language (AUSLAN) uses facial gestures and specific hand movements and placement. Auslan is the language of the Australian deaf community. It is a unique Australian language which has its own grammar and vocabulary (ACARA, 2014). Clark (1996) suggests language can be viewed as something physical and that language is a material object. Gee & Hayes (2011) state that language is both social and individual and is something we use in distinctive ways. Language is varied and aligns with the current culture of each individual.
…show more content…
Language is not only oral and written but also facial gestures and body language. Without language children will find it difficult to communicate or understand others. Children learn facial gestures and body movement at a young age. Children learn to listen as soon as they are born and learn to imitate the sounds they hear at an early age. Through engagement in a particular language setting, children’s speech gradually begins to mirror that used by the people who surround him or her (Fellowes & Oakley, 2014). Therefore, each child will learn differently and although there is a common path, it will not always be identical for each child. It is important for the language development of a child, that spoken language, gestures and body language are used frequently. Fellowes & Oakley (2014) offers that according to social interactionists, the support provided by carers in language is essential to children 's learning. Mostly, carers use language more complex than children could produce on their own, speak in a different tone and emphasize certain words, in so doing they provide good language models, helping the child to expand on the language they already know. This kind of modeling is important so that children can increase their language ability. Language forms an integral role in a child’s being and social inclusion. Without the ability to communicate, a child will have little or no social inclusion. The importance of phonetical awareness, syntactic, semantic and pragmatic systems, of language are taught in the school years of a child’s life (ACARA, 2011). However, in the first instance, children learn by imitating and corresponding what they hear with what they see. Educators need to be aware at the milestones of language development in children. A child missing a milestone, could indicate a learning difficulty that needs to be
Language is not only oral and written but also facial gestures and body language. Without language children will find it difficult to communicate or understand others. Children learn facial gestures and body movement at a young age. Children learn to listen as soon as they are born and learn to imitate the sounds they hear at an early age. Through engagement in a particular language setting, children’s speech gradually begins to mirror that used by the people who surround him or her (Fellowes & Oakley, 2014). Therefore, each child will learn differently and although there is a common path, it will not always be identical for each child. It is important for the language development of a child, that spoken language, gestures and body language are used frequently. Fellowes & Oakley (2014) offers that according to social interactionists, the support provided by carers in language is essential to children 's learning. Mostly, carers use language more complex than children could produce on their own, speak in a different tone and emphasize certain words, in so doing they provide good language models, helping the child to expand on the language they already know. This kind of modeling is important so that children can increase their language ability. Language forms an integral role in a child’s being and social inclusion. Without the ability to communicate, a child will have little or no social inclusion. The importance of phonetical awareness, syntactic, semantic and pragmatic systems, of language are taught in the school years of a child’s life (ACARA, 2011). However, in the first instance, children learn by imitating and corresponding what they hear with what they see. Educators need to be aware at the milestones of language development in children. A child missing a milestone, could indicate a learning difficulty that needs to be