Speaking as not only a tool but a skill

A very large number of languages in the world are only spoken with no writing script. Majority of languages even with writing scripts use their spoken forms more than the written ones. It is an agreed fact that language is learnt by speaking it first after a lot of listening to the sounds, words, phrases and sentences from the surroundings.” Anuradha, Raman & Hemamalini.

The language skill of speaking is classified as an oral productive skill. It has also been paired with listening and both are referred to as primary skills. Since, a child first absorbs language via listening, produces it through speaking, before moving to literacy (reading and writing).