Teachers should monitor speech development of pupils, says report

Pupils' speech development should be monitored by their teachers as soon as they commence their primary education, it has been suggested.

Conservative MP John Bercow has written a government-commissioned review on the subject.

He found that problems speaking full sentences were seen in seven per cent of primary school starters

However, the report argues, long-term problems can be avoided with early intervention.

This will only be possible if teachers ensure they monitor the speech development of their pupils throughout their education.

Without this focus, there is a risk of "severely hampering children's ability to develop the necessary life skills to participate in and contribute to society when they get older", Mr Bercow noted.

The problem appears to be more prevalent among disadvantaged children, where around 50 per cent show signs of speaking difficulties.

Last month, education watchdog Ofsted called for teachers to be better trained to identify when pupils are struggling to read.