Oracy Unlocked: A Practical Guide to Teaching and Learning through Speaking and Listening

"If children can’t put their thoughts into words, they can’t think well. And if they can’t think well, others will think for them." – Professor Neil Mercer

Oracy is one of the most powerful tools for learning—yet too often, it is not given the same status as reading and writing.  Research shows that explicitly teaching oracy can lead to up to five months of additional academic progress, alongside greater confidence, stronger reasoning skills, and improved problem-solving.

Without structured support, only the most naturally articulate pupils will develop these skills. This interactive webinar on Thursday 13th February (9:30 AM – 3:00 PM) provides detailed frameworks, practical strategies, and a wealth of examples to help schools embed a progressive, whole-school approach to oracy.

 What is Oracy?

• Defining key terms: learning through talk and learning to talk
• Why spoken language underpins learning in every subject
• Understanding the role of oracy beyond ‘just talking in class’

Why Oracy Matters: The Research & Evidence

• How explicit oracy instruction leads to higher attainment and greater confidence
• The impact of oracy on reasoning, problem-solving, and critical thinking
• Why a structured, whole-school approach is essential for equity

Developing an Oracy Framework

• Creating a progressive, whole-school approach to oracy
• Key disciplines and practices for developing confident, effective communicators
• Embedding oracy across the curriculum – making it an integral part of teaching

Practical Teaching Strategies for Oracy

• How to teach oracy explicitly – classroom techniques and lesson ideas
• Examples of oracy-rich activities across different subjects
• How to ensure all pupils have opportunities to develop spoken language skills

The Role of Listening in Oracy

• Why listening is often overlooked and how to teach active, responsive listening
• Practical exercises to develop listening skills in the classroom
• Embedding listening as a vital part of classroom dialogue

Types of Talk & Their Role in Learning

• Exploratory Talk – using structured discussion to deepen understanding
• Presentational Talk – developing confidence in public speaking
• Debating Framework – teaching structured debate for critical thinking

The Role of Technology & AI in Oracy

• Opportunities and challenges of using AI and technology for spoken language development
• How to integrate digital tools to support oracy in the classroom

Getting Started & Next Steps

• How to apply the framework in your school
• Planning next steps for embedding oracy in teaching and learning.

• Oracy improves attainment across the curriculum, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.
• It is essential for deep thinking, debate, and reasoning – skills that underpin learning in every subject.
• Listening and discussion are often overlooked – yet they are vital for high-quality classroom talk.
• Without explicit teaching, oracy becomes the privilege of a few – this webinar will show how to embed a structured approach to oracy for all.

Understanding Oracy
Definition and components of oracy: physical, linguistic, cognitive, and emotional. (These four strands will be referred to as The Stance, The Flow, The Mind and The Bond - The four disciplines of Tongue-Fu Talking-A student-firendly way to introduce and implement oracy strategies)
The impact of oracy on academic success and personal development.
Overview of oracy development from early years to early secondary education.

Foundations of Oracy in the Classroom
Setting up a supportive oracy environment.
Simple oracy activities: storytelling, show and tell, and discussion circles.
Techniques for enhancing student engagement and participation.

Advanced Oracy Techniques
Debates, persuasive speeches, and formal presentations.
Role-plays, drama techniques, and hot seating.
Using technology to enhance oracy: podcasts, video blogs, and digital storytelling.

Oracy across the Curriculum
Integrating oracy in all subjects through explanations and argumentation.
Enhancing literary studies 
Using oracy to explore perspectives and ethical debates.

Overcoming Challenges
Overcoming reluctance and building confidence in shy or reluctant speakers.
Managing diverse ability levels and linguistic backgrounds.
Aligning oracy activities with curriculum standards and outcomes.

We will explore how integrating oracy into classroom practice can transform student outcomes across the entire curriculum. From Art to Science, every subject benefits when students are given the opportunity to express, debate, and build on ideas through structured talk. Research shows that strong speaking and listening skills are crucial for academic success, personal development, and future employability.

In this course you’ll be equipped with practical strategies to embed oracy into daily lessons, ensuring that every student has the chance to find their voice—whether through discussion, debate, presentation, or collaborative learning.

✔ A clear, structured oracy framework to ensure progression from EYFS to KS3
✔ An Exploratory Talk Progression Framework
✔ A Presentational Talk Progression Framework
✔ A Debating Progression Framework
✔ Practical techniques to develop confident speakers and active listeners
✔ Research-based evidence on the impact of oracy on attainment
✔ A wealth of classroom examples and activities to use straight away
✔ Live interactive discussions and activities to get you started

Developing Critical Thinking through Research-Based Oracy Strategies

You can read about the importance of oracy here.

Find out more about subject-specific oracy here.