All Hallow's Blog

The Importance of Oracy Skills in Education

19th August 2024

Strong oracy skills create powerful communicators and confident speakers. But they aren’t prioritised enough in education, which does our children a disservice.

By embedding oracy education into the curriculum, we can ensure students are not only excelling academically but also gaining valuable life skills. Clear and effective communication skills will help children in every area of their lives, from education and social situations to their future careers.

Here, we explore what oracy is, the importance of oracy skills in education, how they benefit children and how they should be implemented for the best results.

The essence of oracy skills

Oracy skills encompass effective communication abilities that include speaking, listening and responding with clarity and confidence. These skills are essential for both educational success and personal development.

What is oracy?

In simple terms, oracy is the ability to communicate effectively. Those with good oracy skills are able to organise their thoughts logically and communicate them in a way that’s clear, effective and in the right tone.

Oracy isn’t just about how one speaks. A key element of oracy is listening skills. In order for someone — whether that’s a child or an adult — to be an effective communicator, they must also be a good listener. Good communication comes down to acknowledging others’ thoughts and feelings and responding appropriately.

There are four different aspects of oracy that contribute to strong oral communication skills:

reasoning and evidence — the ability to back up a point or an argument with logic and substantiate claims
listening and response — acknowledging the other person’s — or people’s — points and responding appropriately
expression and delivery — this focuses on how someone communicates, from their tone of voice to body language, which adds meaning to their words
organisation and prioritisation — this refers to how someone structures their conversation or argument and how they prioritise the points they make.

Oracy as a life skill and its social impact

Oracy is a valuable life skill that has a positive impact on social mobility and personal empowerment. In fact, children from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds are 2.3x more likely to experience communication difficulties, according to The Communication Trust.

Students who develop strong oracy skills are more likely to succeed in job interviews, workplace presentations and social interactions. This can lead to better career opportunities and improved social status.

Oracy also contributes to the development of emotional intelligence. Children who can articulate their feelings and actively listen are more likely to develop empathy and self-awareness. These skills are necessary to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with others.

Strong oracy skills can also create leaders who can even influence social change. People who communicate confidently are often leaders who inspire others and advocate for their communities.

Understanding oracy in education

The effective teaching of oracy involves structured activities where students engage in debates, presentations and class discussions. These activities help students develop spoken language skills and express their thoughts effectively. Oracy also enhances cognitive skills by encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving.

Assessment is a key part of oracy education. Educators monitor and evaluate spoken language in pupils to ensure they are meeting benchmarks for effective communication. This helps students become confident speakers who can thrive in various situations, both in and out of school.

The development of oracy skills can also help children improve other skills too — research has shown that oracy lessons have a positive impact on children’s reading comprehension and spelling in written work. But despite the significant benefits of oracy skills and the large attainment gaps that exist, oracy isn’t prioritised in the national curriculum.

Oracy development in primary classroom settings

Oracy development in primary schools focuses on enhancing students’ speaking and active listening skills, supporting cognitive development and boosting educational attainment. Key elements include an oracy-rich curriculum and inclusive approaches to ensure all pupils benefit.

Curriculum and oracy

Incorporating oracy into primary classroom environments and curriculums supports cognitive outcomes. Integrating oral language skills into various subjects ensures students practice speaking and listening in a wide range of contexts. This helps improve understanding and retention of the material. English is a natural fit, but oracy skills can be nurtured in all subjects, from sport and PE — where team captains must motivate and support teammates — to drama, where oral communication is a key form of expression.

Schools that embed oracy in their English curriculum and wider subjects enhance pupils’ confidence and their ability to articulate thoughts clearly, supporting their overall learning experience. We know that it doesn’t form a key part of the national curriculum, but its importance means that it plays an integral role in education at All Hallows.

Implementing oracy at All Hallows School

At All Hallows, teachers are trained to create an environment where every child feels heard and understood, promoting equal participation. This approach not only boosts oracy skills but also enhances overall classroom dynamics and cognitive development.

Implementing oracy into our wide-reaching curriculum and extracurricular activities focuses on enhancing communication skills and bolstering pupil confidence. This approach not only improves academic performance but also equips students with essential communication tools that support social interactions.

The role of educators in oracy

Educators at All Hallows School play a key role in the development of oracy skills among students. Teachers receive training to create engaging and interactive lessons that encourage spoken communication and active listening. By integrating oracy activities across various subjects, educators help pupils develop their ability to express thoughts clearly and confidently.

Key components:

Challenging classroom discussions: encouraging students to participate in structured conversations.
Role-playing: using scenarios to practise real-world conversations.
Feedback: regular, constructive feedback helps students refine their communication skills.

By embedding oracy throughout the curriculum, educators ensure pupils can articulate ideas effectively, which is vital for academic success and personal growth.

Dedicated oracy lessons

We recognise the importance of oracy in developing well-rounded individuals who are effective speakers, poised to make a positive impact on the world. That’s why oracy is woven into the fabric of our curriculum, with dedicated lessons and activities designed to nurture communication skills from an early age.

From structured debates and presentations to group discussions and role-playing scenarios, our class on oracy provides students with ample opportunities to hone their speaking and listening skills in a supportive and encouraging environment. Through practice, feedback and reflection, students learn to express themselves articulately, think critically, and engage with diverse perspectives.

All Hallows prepares future leaders

The benefits of oracy extend far beyond our classroom walls. As students progress through their academic journey at All Hallows, they develop the confidence, poise and adaptability needed to excel in a variety of settings, including the boardroom.

Whether they’re delivering a persuasive pitch, leading a team meeting or networking with industry professionals, our students are equipped with the communication skills and emotional intelligence necessary to navigate complex situations with grace and professionalism. By creating a culture of oracy, we empower our students to become effective leaders who can inspire, influence, and drive positive change in the world.

Measuring success in speaking and listening skills

To measure the success of oracy initiatives, we employ various assessment methods. These include both formal evaluations and informal observations to monitor progress in communication skills.

Assessment tools:

Oracy passports: documents tracking individual progress in effective speaking and listening.
Peer reviews: students evaluate each other’s communication efforts.
Teacher assessments: regular teacher-led assessments of student performance.

Monitoring these skills helps identify areas needing improvement and celebrates achievements. By assessing both spoken and listening skills, the school ensures a comprehensive understanding of each pupil’s abilities, supporting the development of children as confident communicators.

Frequently asked questions

What does good oracy look like?

There are a few different factors that highlight a student has good oracy skills. Firstly, they can communicate their ideas, thoughts and feelings in a way that’s clear and understandable. They can converse rationally, without letting emotions cloud their speaking or judgment. They listen actively and are considerate of their communication partner’s viewpoints and feelings. They can also organise their thoughts and arguments rationally, presenting them in a persuasive manner.

What is the difference between oracy and literacy skills?

Oracy and literacy skills are intertwined and compliment one another, but they are distinct. Literacy skills refer to reading and writing primarily, while oracy focuses on oral communication with people. Building each skill supports the other; children will build oracy skills before they build literacy skills, but then as they progress through school, often literacy is prioritised. To be a truly effective communicator, both oracy and literacy skills are important.

What are the four strands of the oracy framework?

The four strands of Oracy Cambridge and Voice 21’s oracy framework are:

physical — the tone of one’s voice and their body language
linguistic — the quality of their vocabulary, grammatical accuracy and ability to use rhetorical techniques like irony, humour and metaphors
cognitive — consisting of content (how you convey meaning and intention), structure (how you organise your words and thoughts), clarifying and summarising (how you seek clarity and how understandable you are) and reasoning (how you support your arguments)
social and emotional — how you interact with others, from your listening skills to your awareness of your audience’s level of understanding

What strategies are employed by All Hallows School to support oracy and pupil empowerment?

We integrate oracy lessons that not only focus on speaking but also on listening and responding thoughtfully. This holistic approach ensures that students develop skills in negotiation, collaboration and public speaking. These practices lay a foundation for future success in various aspects of life.

What methods are utilised in oracy programmes to ensure success and empowerment for students?

Our oracy programmes utilise interactive activities like debates, presentations and group discussions. These methods engage students actively, making learning fun and practical. Programmes focus on real-world skills, such as clear articulation and persuasive speaking, which empower students to succeed in their academic and personal lives. Effective oracy skills also support children in public speaking and other essential activities.