The OCR, meanwhile, is setting up a Language Ladder, starting at primary school, to assess children's skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

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The teaching of literacy primarily focuses on reading, writing, speaking and listening, in order to encourage students to read, comprehend, reflect on their social experiences and use the language as an instrument of knowledge-seeking.

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It also noted that children must be provided with a solid foundation in socialisation, listening and speaking skills, and fine motor skills before proceeding to the demands of reading and writing.

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Under the current arrangements the speaking and listening controlled assessment makes up 20% of the overall grade, with 40% on the reading and writing controlled assessment and 40% on the written exams.

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