Using the 1970 British Cohort Study, this study examines factors promoting positive language development and subsequent successful education and employment transitions among children showing early receptive language problems (age 5). We find that 61 per cent of children with early receptive language problems develop into competent readers by age 10. Factors promoting positive language development include parental support and more importantly a good school environment, characterised by only few children receiving remedial help. Post-16 education and employment experiences indicated competent reading to be associated with a less challenging journey into adulthood. Findings are discussed in terms of their policy implications.