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Children who 'talk posh' do better at school

Katherine Donnelly Email

CHILDREN who "talk posh" do better at school than those with poor language skills, according to a study.

Variations in patterns of language use according to social class may have an impact on the school success of children, it found.

The study investigating patterns of language use in primary schools was undertaken by Dr Aine Cregan of Mary Immaculate teacher training college, Limerick, with the support of the Combat Poverty Agency.

The research found that children in disadvantaged schools consistently exhibit clear differences in language use when compared with children in middle-class settings. They are less able and inclined to use a "literate" language style, which is required in the school context.

The findings emerged across a wide range of language tasks for all age groups and both genders in urban and rural schools.

The "literate" language style - characterised by children in disadvantaged settings as "talking posh" - is critical for the development of literacy skills.

The study also found that relatively little time in disadvantaged schools is devoted to the development of children's oral language, which is essential to maximise learning potential.

"Many children are entering and progressing through our school system poorly equipped im terms of requisite language skills to engage effectively with that system," said Dr Cregan.

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