Every Conversation Counts: Building Oral Language for Literacy
Laying the Foundation for Literacy
Build your capacity to intentionally foster children’s oral language development throughout the day. You’ll leave prepared to enrich children’s vocabulary, expand their thinking, facilitate authentic conversations, and create a language-rich classroom that strengthens early literacy outcomes.
- Classroom Teachers & Interventionists
Oral language is the foundation of literacy development, sharping children’s ability to think. During this one-day workshop, educators will discover how everyday interactions can become powerful opportunities to foster oral language development, vocabulary, and communication skills.
Through classroom routines, play, reading, writing, and intentional teacher talk, educators will learn how to expand children’s thinking, enrich vocabulary, and foster authentic dialogue that supports literacy development.
Topics Include:
- Oral language as a foundation for literacy learning.
- Using books, play, and daily routines as purposeful opportunities for language growth.
- Intentional teacher talk that expands children’s thinking and vocabulary.
- Supporting all learners in becoming confident communicators.
- Developing and sustaining language and literacy-rich learning environments.
You will earn 5 clock hours for this training.
Heather Rodman, Literacy Trainer
Heather Rodman has been a Literacy Trainer at Lesley University’s Center for Literacy Teaching and Instructional Leadership for 12 years. As a former elementary classroom teacher and literacy coach, she brings 30 years of experience in literacy education, instructional coaching, and professional learning. Heather works with educators, literacy coaches, and school leaders to develop teacher expertise that leads to student success.
Cancellation Deadline & Refund Policies
You have until one week before the first day of this offering to cancel your registration. The cancellation deadline is Tuesday, September 29, 2026 and you will be charged a $50 processing fee. Email centerliteracyteaching@lesley.edu if you have a cancellation or substitution request. Regardless of weather conditions, if the event is held but you cannot attend, you will be billed for the full amount.
Registration Deadline
The registration deadline is 5pm on October 5, 2026.
Requirements for Participation
After the training, you will receive a certificate of attendance for your participation. To receive a complete certificate, participation during the specified times is required. Additional work may be assigned to meet the professional development hours.
In-Person at Lesley University or Virtual Attendance
You may choose to attend this training in-person at Lesley University or virtually in real time. Should any of the conditions change and it is determined the training will be offered virtually only, you will be notified as soon as possible. We recommend that you contact us before reserving travel and lodging.
If you choose to attend in-person, the training room will have Lesley University’s HyFlex Classroom Technology to support an engaging learning environment for in-person and virtual participants. If you have questions about in-person or virtual attendance, please email us at centerliteracyteaching@lesley.edu.
On-Site Professional Development
We can deliver this training to your school/district. This option can be delivered virtually or in-person for a group within your school/district. For detailed costs, complete our online form to request this training for your school/district and we will contact you.
Interested in professional learning at your school or district? Schedule a meeting with one of our faculty trainers
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