The Importance of Oracy in Education: Strategies to Develop Speaking and Listening Skills in Schools

Oracy—the ability to express oneself fluently and effectively in speech—is a vital skill that underpins success in education and beyond. Research from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) highlights that strong oral communication skills contribute to academic achievement, social confidence, and employability (EEF, 2017). In addition, studies have shown that structured talk activities can enhance reasoning skills and deepen subject knowledge (Mercer, 2018). Despite its importance, oracy is often overlooked in favor of written literacy and numeracy. However, with the right strategies, schools can foster a culture of effective spoken communication, benefiting students across all subjects.

Practical Strategies to Develop Oracy in Schools

Integrating oracy into daily teaching practice does not require an overhaul of the curriculum. Instead, simple, structured approaches can make a significant difference. Below are actionable strategies to help students develop their speaking and listening skills:

1. Think-Pair-Share

This strategy encourages all students to participate in discussions. Teachers pose a question, students think individually, then discuss their ideas with a partner before sharing with the class. This structured talk routine builds confidence, ensures active engagement, and allows students to refine their responses.

2. Debates and Structured Discussions

Organising debates or structured discussions helps students practice articulating their ideas, listening actively, and responding to counterarguments. For example, a balloon debate—where students argue for the survival of a historical figure, book character, or scientist—encourages critical thinking and persuasive speech.

3. Explicit Vocabulary Instruction

Vocabulary depth is essential for articulate expression. Teaching tiered vocabulary—such as Tier 2 words (sophisticated words used across subjects, e.g., ‘evaluate’, ‘justify’)—helps students articulate their thoughts more precisely. Word walls, sentence stems, and subject-specific word banks support vocabulary development in spoken responses.

4. Talk for Writing

Developed by Pie Corbett, the Talk for Writing approach encourages students to internalize language patterns by speaking stories, explanations, or arguments before writing. This technique is especially useful for EAL learners who benefit from verbal rehearsal before committing ideas to paper.

5. The Role of the Teacher: Modelling and Scaffolding

Teachers play a crucial role in fostering oracy by modelling expressive speech, using open-ended questions, and scaffolding responses. Encouraging students to build on each other’s ideas using prompts such as ‘I agree with… because…’, or ‘Building on what [name] said…’ enhances dialogic learning.

6. Podcasting and Presentations

Incorporating podcast projects, video reflections, or short presentations into lessons gives students an authentic audience and purpose for speaking. For example, students might record a book review, a science explanation, or a historical monologue to refine their verbal articulation.

Final Thoughts

Prioritising oracy in schools fosters confidence, deeper learning, and better interpersonal skills. Whether through structured talk activities, debates, or vocabulary development, integrating these simple strategies can significantly enhance students’ spoken communication. By embedding oracy across the curriculum, we empower students with the skills they need to succeed in education and beyond.

Further Reading & References:

• Education Endowment Foundation (2017). Oral Language Interventions: Teaching & Learning Toolkit. EEF Website
• Mercer, N. (2018). Exploring Talk in School: Inspired by the Work of Douglas Barnes. London: SAGE Publications.
• Corbett, P. (2020). Talk for Writing across the Curriculum. Open University Press.

---

Enjoyed this read?

Drop a like or repost below and check out some other related posts. Also stop by my store or connect on social media for more

---