In this episode of Literacy Unlocked, I'm joined by Susan Lambert, host of the Science of Reading: The Podcast by Amplify, to dig into one of the most essential—and often overlooked—components of reading success: language. Susan shares personal stories and professional insights that make a powerful case for elevating language development right alongside decoding.

We explore:

• Why word recognition is necessary but not sufficient
• The importance of oral language in early grades
• How syntax, vocabulary, and background knowledge support writing and comprehension
• What teachers can do tomorrow to build stronger language routines
• How oral discussion and sentence-level writing set the stage for later literacy success

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