A fourth key characteristic of the Steiner approach is an emphasis on the importance of oral language. There is a strong focus on developing oracy which is seen as the fundamental basis for cognitive development. Talk and discussion is a key element. Stories, using a rich vocabulary, are told rather than read, on a daily basis and provide models of speech which give voice to a broad range of emotional responses. Recitation is also practised daily and opportunities are provided in which the children are encouraged to speak and listen to each other.
In the Primary School Curriculum:
"Oral language is accorded particular importance in the curriculum, as it is central to the development of the child's general language ability. Oral language is a crucial factor in the development of the child's cognitive abilities and it facilitates the acquisition of social and communicative skills. It is above all the principle integrating element in the English curriculum. Activities such as comprehension, responding to text and the approach to writing are grounded in a process of talk and discussion. It is also central to learning in other curriculum areas, where the use of talk, discussion questioning and response constitutes a key learning strategy" (Primary School Curriculum Introduction - page 45).