Supporting Spoken Language in the Classroom (SSLiC)

Supporting Spoken Language in the Classroom (SSLiC) is a knowledge exchange (KE) programme that ultimately aims to improve communication and learning outcomes for all children. It seeks to achieve this aim by bringing together research and practitioner expertise to:

• Develop a systematic whole school approach to language awareness, use and support  
• Conduct a self-assessment audit of whole school practices in relation to supporting language-use
• Equip classroom teachers’ with the skills in the identification of language-use needs through the use of an evidence-based communication supporting classroom observation tool
• Implement creative ideas to sustain and support whole school change

FAQs

Who is SSLiC for?

The programme is for a team of three staff members from Primary committed to supporting a focus on whole school language, consisting of: 

• Headteacher/member of senior leadership team
• Early Years Lead, SENCO, Inclusion Manager, Governor, School Counsellor
• Early Years Classroom teacher 

Programme structures and costs

Following an introduction to research, materials, audit, theory of change and an action plan, CIE provides experts to facilitate this programme. In addition to online, live sessions CIE facilitators provide school support in development of their action plans and advise on initiating, managing, sustaining and supporting whole school change.

Cost

1. £25,000 - up to ten schools including full CIE facilitator support
2. £13,500 - up to five schools including full CIE facilitator support
3. £7,500 – up to ten schools with no CIE facilitator support

Contact

For more information email Gill Brackenbury: g.brackenbury@ucl.ac.uk

What resources will schools receive?

• An updated handbook covering the evidence-base, based on a published literature review, including a theory of change model and outline of the SSLiC programme
• An audit based on 5 domains, derived from the evidence base
• Case studies from schools involved in the SSLiC Pilot project
• Other resources as required, depending on the school’s chosen focus
• Their own case study, written up and co-branded by UCL (depending on programme selected) 

What people say about the programme

“This has been one of the most useful and interesting programmes I've been involved in because it is so practical and heading towards great impact

“As a SALT I am enthusiastic about SSLiC increasing school staff knowledge and prioritisation of oral language in the classroom

“Individual thanks to our facilitator who was incredibly encouraging and supportive

Case studies and reports

Case studies describing the activities, outcomes and learning from 18 schools across London, the South-East, Plymouth and Bristol who participated in the SSLiC programme:

• Supporting Spoken Language in the Classroom Case Studies
• Supporting Spoken Language in the Classroom (SSLiC) Knowledge Exchange Programme Case-Study
• Supporting Spoken Language in the Classroom: Case Studies from Early Years Settings in Plymouth
• Supporting Spoken Language in the Classroom: Case Studies from the Venturers Trust Primary Schools in Bristol

Research report on the SSLiC programme by Dr Ioanna Bakopoulou from the University of Bristol:

• Empowering educational professionals to create strong language provision in early and primary school settings

Contact 

For more information and enquiries please contact the team at inclusive.education@ucl.ac.uk