Jun 2020
Quite simply, the assessment and resource package, is one of the best I've seen, and I have been working in schools for over 30 years. The assessments give an accurate overview of each child's abilities and where we can put in extra support. They also indicate if a child needs referring to the Speech and language Therapy Department. This means we can create groups of children with similar needs and use small group time to target and support the children's needs, and help them to reach their full potential. The colourful resources used throughout the language Link programmes are engaging and endearing. They are clear and appropriate to the task. The lesson plans are easy to follow, and give clear indications on how to score, so that we track the children's progress using SMART targets. The graphs and class overviews enable the Teachers to see if there are any overall targets that the children need to work on as a whole class - and again, tracking and proving progress are self-explanatory. We use the assessment data as part of the SaLT referral process because the score, data and recommendations are clear which allow us to safely refer in the knowledge that we have quality evidence to back up our referrals. The online groups help my team of TAs to track the work they do with their groups of children - which not only helps improve and progress the children's knowledge, but also is proof of their own CPD. The regular tracking sheets can also support investigation into other areas of need - "Why is little Toby always quiet in his Monday group?" the record keeping lead to a pattern of every Monday being a tough day for this child - and the connections were made (he saw his other - estranged - parent on Sundays) - which meant we could put some pastoral support in place.
Julie Steele found Infant Language Link:
- Significantly improves teaching efficiency and productivity“When the Teacher understands the difficulties that an SEN child may have, the Teacher can change and adapt their way of teaching to suit the child's needs. For example, an SEN child who doesn't understand 'first/next/last' will not be able to sequence a CVC word such as 'cat'. Asking the child to put 'c' first, 'a' next and 't' last will have no meaning to this child. The child needs to understand what 'first' means and how it relates to the word 'cat'. That's where the language link assessments work their magic. It shows us the gaps and the misunderstandings and helps us to tailor support to each individual child.”
- Significantly reduces teacher workload“Language Link has the most amazing resources. Beautifully drawn illustrations, perfect visuals which help the Teacher to support the child on the learning journey. Colourful pictures 'showing' the meaning of words/phrases which scaffold the learning for the child - and all prepared for the Teacher by Language Link - there - at a click of the button and I have a complete set of resources to help my SEN child understand the concept of 'tall' or 'in front', or how to answer a 'why' question, or how to produce a 3 WL sentence i.e. 'the cat is asleep on the bed'. I have seen SEN and EAL children suddenly start talking. The beautiful resources help make learning safe for the children, and save adults an awful lot of time in making.”
- Significantly improves teacher knowledge and skills“The amount of Teachers who have said 'Oh wow, I didn't know that' when I've used the Language Link data and resources to explain why their pupil is not writing in full sentences. Or why their pupil has not followed the instruction - and it goes from - "I'm sure he is choosing to ignoring me - he can hear his friends when they talk to him", and it changes to - "So, I was using too many words, and I was speaking too fast?" Once this Teacher realised and changed his way of speaking to the particular child, he was surprised as how well the child could listen and follow instructions. During a Staff CPD meeting, I used the language resources to help Teachers understand that the order in which they gave an instructions, had a negative impact on the child with language difficulties; the child who did not understand the word 'before' "Before you put your books away, colour in your smiley" (and who would get in trouble for not listening) - now understood the instructions, as my colleagues now gave instructions in the order they want them completed.”
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