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Talking in class: A study of socio-economic difference in the primary school classroom

Manison Shore, Laura

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Authors

Laura Manison Laura.Manisonshore@uwe.ac.uk
Senior Lecturer in Primary Partnership Manager



Abstract

© 2014 UKLA. In this paper, I consider the relationship between socio-economic background and the school experience of two groups of children. I seek to establish whether or not there are identifiable differences in the language of primary school children living in two demographically contrasting geographical areas and, if there are differences, how these differences might impact upon a child's capacity to access learning. In investigating these relationships, I conducted semi-structured interviews with the two groups using the work of Bernstein as a starting point. I found that while the children in the first school, located in a largely less affluent area of Bristol, appeared to lack confidence, extended vocabulary and often clarity in their speech, the children in the second school, located in a middle class, affluent area of the city appeared articulate, self- confident and in possession of a varied and extended vocabulary. While it is not appropriate to generalise from this small scale study, these findings raise questions about the language children experience from an early age both in the home environment and at school and suggest that there is a significant part for schools to play in ensuring that they are not excluding some groups of children from participation.

Citation

Manison Shore, L. (2015). Talking in class: A study of socio-economic difference in the primary school classroom. Literacy, 49(2), 98-104. https://doi.org/10.1111/lit.12040

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 16, 2014
Online Publication Date Aug 22, 2014
Publication Date Apr 1, 2015
Deposit Date Sep 26, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Literacy
Print ISSN 1741-4350
Electronic ISSN 1741-4369
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 49
Issue 2
Pages 98-104
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/lit.12040
Keywords talking, children, classroom
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/836610
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/lit.12040
Additional Information Additional Information : This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Manison Shore, L. (2015) Talking in class: A study of socio-economic difference in the primary school classroom. Literacy, 49 (2). pp. 98-104, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/lit.12040. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.

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