Now fully updated and revised in the light of recent developments in practice, this book discusses children's language development and language difficulties in the context of the classroom. The book will help the practitioner to understand the range of language difficulties experienced by children and will assist them in planning appropriate activities with pupils, their parents and other education professionals. In particular, this second edition offers further guidance for teachers on observing children's communication skills in school; fully revised and updated chapters, in the light of recent research; advice for schools on the implications of the increased emphasis on language and communication needs in the revised SEN Code of Practice 2001; and discussion about the increasingly recognized links between communication difficulties and EBD.