The skills of listening and speaking constitute the first ways that children develop proficiency in any language. Developing these skills in English, usually a non-community language, involves understanding the ways in which learners in classrooms receive (listen to) and express (speak about) ideas in various situations. Learners usually already communicate orally in social and informal situations in languages other than English, before they enter primary school. An effective English programme will utilise the learner’s first language as a bridge to English (as described in Section 8.1 Learning and Teaching Approaches for the classroom) and also support the continued development of the first language. This strand develops the ability to communicate for particular learning and formal purposes in English as well as extending and building on the ability to communicate socially to build relationships and achieve specific purposes. It assists learners to participate meaningfully in oral situations both within and outside the classroom. This strand builds conceptual knowledge and understanding of meanings which are extended through reading and writing.