Explicit Teaching of English Morphology and Etymology: Innovative Solutions to Developing Children’s Word Decoding and Comprehension Skills in Wales

This chapter explores why integrating explicit teaching about English morphology and etymology could support children’s vocabulary skills development in line with aims in the new Curriculum for Wales. The new curriculum introduced ‘Languages, Literacy and Communication’ as one of six ‘Areas of Learning and Experience’ (AoLE). The aim of this AoLE is to develop learners’ understanding of how languages are connected and how to communicate effectively using their ‘linguistic repertoire’. However, Estyn (English language and literacy in settings and primary schools. Retrieved February 5, 2024, from https://www.estyn.gov.wales/system/files/2022-01/Estyn%20English%20language%20and%20literacy%20E%289%29.pdf , 2021) highlighted that ‘where there are shortcomings in language teaching in both Welsh-medium and English-medium providers, staff do not recognise the importance of learners developing their vocabulary knowledge when planning for learning, or provide them with explicit opportunities to do so’. Numerous studies have illustrated that morphological awareness plays an important role in children’s word reading and language comprehension. Furthermore, evidence suggests that ancient languages provide a possible solution for developing children’s literacy skills (Holmes-Henderson and Kelly, Ancient languages in primary schools in England: A literature review. Retrieved February 22, 2024, from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1120024/Ancient_languages_in_primary_schools_in_England_-_A_Literature_Review.pdf , 2022). However, very little is known about how innovative teaching and learning practices could be developed and integrated within the Welsh education context. Therefore, this chapter offers a timely discussion of key studies that provide an evidence-base from which innovative solutions to explicit instruction in English morphology and etymology could be developed.