Speech and Language Goals

Target Both—Without Planning a Million Activities

Want to target speech and language goals at the same time?

In a perfect world, all articulation students would be grouped together and all language students would be grouped together.

But we don’t live in that world. Mixed groups happen. Time is limited. And planning separate activities for every goal—every day—is exhausting.

That’s why combining speech and language goals isn’t just helpful… it’s necessary.

Why Speech and Language Goals Belong Together

Speech sound production doesn’t happen in isolation—and neither does language.

In real life, our students are:

• Saying words with meaning
• Using sounds inside functional language
• Learning vocabulary while speaking

So therapy should reflect that.

To support mixed groups and reduce planning overload, I created Tier 2 language materials organized by articulation sound—so you can target speech and language goals together using one resource.

A Quick Note on Tier 2 Vocabulary

I am a big fan of using tier 2 vocabulary during my language therapy sessions! If you aren't familiar with tier 2 vocabulary, please click the link below to brush up on it and then come back.

• Tier 2 vocabulary overview

But lists alone aren’t enough.

Research consistently shows that vocabulary learning requires:

• Explicit instruction
• Multiple exposures
• Deep processing
• Use across contexts

Not drilling. Not memorization. Not worksheets for the sake of worksheets.

The Vocabulary Teaching Protocol I Use

When teaching Tier 2 vocabulary, I focus on depth.

My approach includes:

• Building background knowledge
• Explicit teaching of meaning
• Phonological awareness (spelling, rhyming, sound placement)
• Connecting words (categories, function, synonyms, opposites)
• Reviewing words across varied contexts

This structure supports retention, generalization, and carryover—especially for students with language-based learning needs.

For more on my vocabulary learning tips, check out my page:

• teaching vocabulary tips

Articulation Materials That Support Real Speech

For years now, I have ditched the odd super duper decks that target SH in "pincushion." (you know what I'm talking about!)

If a child learns to say a word they’ll never use again, we’ve missed the point.

Instead, I use:

• High-frequency words
• Words tied to the child’s life and interests
• Tier 2 vocabulary that actually shows up in school and conversation

This makes articulation practice more functional—and more likely to generalize.

• articulation using high-frequency words

Combining Speech and Language Goals (The Practical Part)

These materials allow you to:

• Work on articulation with articulation students
• Work on language with language students
• Use the same material in a mixed group

Words are organized:

• By articulation sound (initial/medial/final)
• By grade level

One activity. Multiple goals.

What’s Included

Each packet supports both speech and language goals through activities such as:

• Vocabulary identification from images
• Yes/no comprehension questions
• Category naming
• Definition writing
• Phonological awareness tasks
• Synonyms and antonyms
• Personal application of vocabulary
• Parts of speech identification

How I use these speech and language activities:

1. First, I do the "match the picture to the word" and "yes/no" questions. I make a note about which words were a bit harder.
2. The next session, I pick a few easy and a few hard words and pull out the "in depth" vocabulary practice sheets for those words(i.e., phonological characteristics, synonyms, antonyms, real life application). 
3. The next FEW sessions, I make my way through all the needed words. 
4. Once the sheets are completed, I do the naming activities (often times these are home practices).
5. Before I move on to new vocabulary words, I use the blank definition sheets to test for retention of learning.

NOTE: If the child is working on articulation, I work on the targeted sound while giving answers orally. Easy!

Access Speech and Language Goals Materials:

Members

Hi members! I have s/z packets for kindergarten through 4th grade on the membership site. Click the link below to grab them. More sounds will be coming in the next few weeks!

• Speech and Language Materials (scroll to the bottom!)

Non-members

You can join at any time and access 4,250+ materials today!

• Speech Therapy Talk's Amazingly Affordable Membership

Try It With a Free /s/ Packet

If combining speech and language goals sounds great in theory—but you want to see how it actually works in therapy—start here.

I’ve created a free /s/ speech and language packet that uses the same approach described on this page:

• Tier 2 vocabulary
• High-frequency, functional words
• Activities that support both articulation and language goals
• Designed for mixed groups and real therapy schedules

This packet gives you a clear look at how I structure materials so you can:

• Target articulation while building vocabulary
• Support language goals without separate planning
• Increase carryover and generalization

No fluff. No novelty words. Just practical materials you can use right away.

Reference:

• Building Semantic Networks: The Impact of a Vocabulary Intervention on Preschoolers’ Depth of Word Knowledge
• https://www.superduperinc.com/handouts/pdf/182_VocabularyTiers.pdf