The Speech and Language Program focuses upon a child's overall ability to communicate. Communication consists of language and speech, and the use of those elements to form conversations. Speech or articulation is the ability to pronounce the sounds of our language correctly. Language skills are those used to understand what is heard and to express one's self. Language involves vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, listening, thinking, and speaking skills. Social language skills involve the rules we follow when having conversations, such as taking turns and staying on the topic. Auditory processing skills involve the ability to remember and act on information we hear, such as following directions and answering questions about a story or lecture. The goal of the Speech and Language Program is to assist students in becoming effective communicators.