The document discusses building oral language skills for literacy development. It emphasizes that oral language is the foundation for literacy and the primary means of learning. Developing oral language skills is important for reading comprehension and should be explicitly taught in schools. The document provides strategies for teachers to develop students' oral language skills, such as shared reading, read alouds, show and tell, and using wordless books to encourage storytelling. It also stresses the importance of print-rich environments, connecting literature to students' lives, and using developmentally appropriate activities.