The School Readiness Language Workshop

20 modules of structured language exercises for kids getting ready for school, learning English as an additional language, or with language or learning issues

   Watch Video

Hi, and welcome to the School Readiness Language Workshop.

I’m so glad you decided to join me.

If you’re looking to help your child get ready for school - if you think your preschooler might benefit from improving their listening and expressive language skills - you’re in the right place.

I’m David Kinnane, known by many as @speechbloke. I’m a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist based in Sydney, Australia; the founder of Banter Speech & Language, an independent speech pathology clinic; and the father of two boys.

Why school readiness matters

A child's school readiness is:
  • predictive of academic outcomes (e.g. Snow, 2006); and
  • a strong indicator of ongoing and future success (e.g. Prior et al, 1993).
Cognitive and language abilities are more predictive of school readiness than social skills, behavioural problems, or even being read to at home. One of the most influential factors to predict school readiness is the child's oral language competencies (listening and talking) (Prior et al., 2011).

Who are most at risk?

Some children are at a heightened risk of not being ready for school, including:
  • boys;
  • children with poor English skills (in English-speaking schools);
  • children with behavioural and emotional problems; and
  • children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
What does the course involve?

This practical course contains 20 modules - two a month, with more than 90 of our most frequently sought after therapy resources - arranged in a developmental sequence. Tried and tested in our busy speech pathology clinic, and used by speech pathologists and teachers from all around the world, these resources form a self-paced structured program suitable for parents to work through with their preschoolers - especially for those who need a bit of extra support.

This course is designed primarily for preschoolers aged 36 months or older who are already speaking in 3-5 (or more) word phrases. If your preschooler is not talking at all, or using only single words or occasional 2-word phrases, we recommend first consulting with a local certified practising speech pathologist who can help using early language stimulation and child-led strategies. You can read more about this type of therapy by following this link to our clinic website.

My job here is to help you to support your child's language development before school starts.

This course is designed to give you the tools you need to support your child's language skills. At your pace, and from the comfort of your own home or workplace.

Please have a look around our clinic website for lots of free, evidence-based tips on language communication, including information on school readiness and the importance of oral language skills.

Now, if you need support or want to share your success story, please reach out to us.

Again, welcome to The School Readiness Language Workshop. Where we support you to help your child get ready for listening and talking at 'big school'.


Your Instructor


David Kinnane
David Kinnane

Known to many as Speech Bloke, David is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist, Lawyer, Author and Father. He is based in Sydney, Australia, where he helps adults and children with communication issues to speak for themselves.

David manages a busy private speech pathology clinic, and a publishing company for speech pathologists in private practice. He is the founder of Banter Speech & Language, and Speechies in Business. He is passionate about ethical practices and consumer rights and regularly guest lectures to speech pathology students and others on legal issues affecting the profession.

David holds a Master of Speech Language Pathology from the University of Sydney, where he was a Dean's Scholar, ranking first in his graduating year. He is admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Hong Kong, and lived for 8 years in Hong Kong. David is a Certified PESL Instructor for accent modification. He is a Hanen- and LSVT LOUD-certified speech-language pathologist with post-graduate training in the PreLit early literacy preparation program by MultiLit, the Spalding Method for literacy, and Voicecraft for voice issues.

Prior to becoming a speech pathologist, David was a senior lawyer at a US Investment Bank and, before then, worked for global law firms in Hong Kong and Sydney. He knows what it takes to communicate professionally and to compete in a globalised workforce.


Course Curriculum


  Introduction
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 1
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 2
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 3
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 4
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 5
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 6
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 7
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 8
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 9
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 10
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 11
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 12
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 13
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 14
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 15
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 16
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 17
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 18
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 19
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Module 20
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Suggested story book list
Available in days
days after you enrol

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
After enrolling, you will get two modules a month, and have unlimited access to each unlocked module of this course for as long as you subscribe - across any and all devices you own. For each module, all our language resources can be downloaded for use on your device or printed out as soon as the module is unlocked.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

Get started now!