Each child brings with him/her their individual experiences, which allows future knowledge to be built upon past encounters. Concepts are introduced to the children, and these are reinforced through the activities and games the children are involved in. The children are taught the concept of print, that there are letters in our alphabet, and each letter has a sound that is associated to it. Words are made up of letters and the sounds these letters make allows us to read the words. Together, words make sentences. Sentences are put together to make paragraphs, and then stories. Reading, writing, listening, speaking, spelling, and handwriting are all important components of an oral language programme. Skills and strategies in each area are modelled, taught, and practiced, taking into account the unique needs of each child. .
An oral language programme should recognize and respect the fact that each child is a unique individual with her/his own cultural heritage, learning style, and pace, and lessons and activities should reflect this. The social, emotional, physical and cognitive/language growth of each child are important aspects of the child's involvement in any oral language programme. .
There are some essential components to an oral language programme that must be addressed during the planning phase. All communication should be relevant; it should be meaningful in that what is learnt or practiced in the classroom should be able to be used in everyday situations. Children need to be provided with opportunities to become active speakers and listeners. Positive feedback from teachers is vital to increase the likelihood that language knowledge is expanded, and children should always be encouraged and supported to communicate their ideas. .
However, one of the most important aspects that guides the components of any oral language programme is the recognition that the child is an active contributor to the language acquisition process.