Oracy

We are working in collaboration with Voice21 to develop oracy skills.

This involves creating an environment where students are encouraged and supported to improve their speaking and listening skills. We do this through:

• Classroom Discussions: Regularly planned opportunities to practice speaking in front of their peers. This can be done through activities like "show and tell," where students present something of interest to the class, or group discussions linked to current topics.
• Debates and Role-Playing: Engaging students in debates and role-playing exercises helps them learn to articulate their thoughts, consider different viewpoints, and develop persuasive speaking skills. For example, a class might debate the pros and cons of a school rule, or role-play different characters from a story they are reading.
• Storytelling and Drama: Incorporating storytelling, poetry performances and drama into the curriculum allows students to express themselves creatively while practicing clear and expressive speech. This can include activities like performing short plays, narrating stories, or even creating their own stories to share with the class.
• Listening Exercises: Activities that focus on listening skills are just as important. This could involve following oral instructions for a task, or participating in listening games where students have to recount information they’ve just heard. Children are aware of the importance of active listening.
• Public Speaking Opportunities: Providing opportunities for students to develop presentational talk in more formal settings can build their confidence. This could include class presentations and school assemblies.
• Language-Rich Environment: Creating a language-rich environment in the classroom encourages the development of oracy. This includes having a variety of text types and genres and key vocabulary displayed in class. This is also promoted through exploratory talk - encouraging students to ask questions and engage in meaningful conversations.
• Peer and Self-Assessment: Teaching students to evaluate their own and others' speaking skills can be very effective. Following the Oracy Framework, students can give feedback on physical, linguistic, cognitive and social and emotional skills.

Developing strong oracy skills will not only support children in their academic journey but also prepare them to become confident and effective communicators in their future.