skip to main content
NEW! Tongue Fu Talking - A fully-resourced Oracy Framework

Retrieval Practice - A Practical Guide for Teachers

This course is a practical guide to what we mean by retrieval practice, the evidence that supports its use and 40 practical strategies that can be used in the classroom.

chris_cutout
Created and Led by
Chris Quigley
Duration
Full Day
Target Audience
Head Teachers, Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Curriculum Leaders, Subject Leaders, Senior & Middle Leaders, KS1 & 2 Teachers

Overview:

Retrieval - the act of active recall - is one of the most effective ways to improve retention of knowledge. This course is a practical guide to what we mean by retrieval practice, the evidence that supports its use and 40 practical strategies that can be used in the classroom.

  • Retrieval as a learning strategy
  • Evidence informed teaching
  • 40 practical classroom strategies

Why this course is relevant or important:

According to leading cognitive scientists, learning is defined as ‘a change to long-term memory’; it is only the remembered curriculum that ultimately matters. As most teachers know, students often forget vital knowledge despite their best efforts to secure it.  That’s where retrieval practice comes in: a wealth of evidence, gathered over 100 years of research, shows that using your memory shapes your memory; active recall is the best way to retain knowledge and easily find it again when needed.

Advance your understanding of:

  • How learning happens and how retrieval practice enables better retention of knowledge
  • The principles of effective retrieval practice
  • The role of retrieval in metacognition
  • The role of retrieval in successful schema building
  • How retrieval in different contexts leads to a greater depth of knowledge
  • How to adapt retrieval strategies for different ages of students.

Take away:

  • 10 key ‘checks’ for effective teaching using retrieval practice
  • 40 practical strategies that can be implemented immediately.

Pricing & Book

Course Price: £175 (exc. VAT)

Book 3 places and the 4th place is free

Our webinars are held over Zoom and you will be sent a link to access these closer to the event date.

No upcoming dates available.
Evidence Informed
Evidence Informed
All our courses are based on peer-reviewed research.
Practical and inspiring
Practical and inspiring
We bridge the gap between evidence and practice.
Versatile environments
Versatile environments
We offer a choice between on-demand and live courses.

Latest from the Blog

Oracy Is Not a Subject, but Every Subject Requires It
Oracy Is Not a Subject, but Every Subject Requires It
21st Jul 2025
This blog explores why a clear oracy framework is essential for learning across all subjects. It explains how classroom talk strategies, such as Because, But, So and Seeking Clues, build both communication skills and disciplinary knowledge in science, geography, and history. The article introduces Tongue Fu Talking™, a structured approach with two strands—Explorer Mode for reasoning and Presenter Mode for confident communication—designed to embed purposeful talk from EYFS to KS3.
Why Oracy Matters: Insights from Research, Policy and Inspection
Why Oracy Matters: Insights from Research, Policy and Inspection
18th Jul 2025
In our Complete Guide to Oracy, we outlined how structured talk is essential for learning across all subjects. This article builds on that foundation by examining why oracy is increasingly recognised as vital in education. It draws on findings from parliamentary committees, recent Ofsted reports, and research evidence, all of which highlight a gap in how spoken language is developed and assessed in schools.
What Is Oracy? A Complete Guide for EYFS to KS3
What Is Oracy? A Complete Guide for EYFS to KS3
15th Jul 2025
This blog introduces Tongue Fu Talking™, a structured oracy framework for EYFS to KS3. It explains why oracy is essential for speaking and listening progression, and how teachers can embed it across the curriculum using two modes of talk: Explorer Mode (for reasoning and discussion) and Presenter Mode (for performance and persuasion). The framework’s 23 teachable oracy skills are organised into four disciplines—The Stance, The Flow, The Mind and The Bond—supported by a clear, motivating belt system. With links to oracy CPD, sentence stems, and classroom resources, this is your complete guide to teaching talk with clarity and confidence.
Tongue Fu Brand Mark