Why do we Teach Core Words?

At Mill Green School we firmly believe that being able to communicate is one of the most important skills we need in life. By teaching Core Words we seek:

• to support basic communication and foster understanding
• to develop language skills
• to help build relationships and facilitate social interaction
• to increase equal opportunities for all of our young people

What are Core Words?

Core words, also known as core vocabulary, are the words that make up most of what we use to communicate. These approximately 200 words are about 60-80% of the words we use every day. Core words can be used in many different contexts, which is why they’re important to understand, They can include verbs, pronouns, prepositions, and more. The rest of the language we use is made up of fringe words or fringe vocabulary.

How we Teach Core Words

Individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) often benefit from intervention that specifically targets the use of core words.

The “Core Word of the Week” approach is a way to target core words on an individual basis, in the classroom, and in other instructional environments. Using this approach, one core word is targeted multiple times over the course of the week to increase exposure to it and highlight how it can be used in different contexts. We share our core word of the week with parents and carers so that they are able to practice and reinforce core vocabulary at home, whilst also developing their own communication skills.

At Mill Green, core words are introduced using a consistent, school wide symbol which supports young people who transition to different environments around the school. We also introduce our core words through Makaton which uses multi-modal communication to ensure that everyone is able to be understood (expressive) and to better understand what is being communicated (receptive). Put simply, we use more than one mode of communication at any one time when teaching and using our core words. Through Makaton, we promote the use of Speech (what we say), Signs (the gestures and shapes our hands make) and symbols (specific images that represent a concept).