What Is Oracy?

Oracy is a combination of learning to talk and learning through talk.

This means that pupils are taught specific speaking and listening skills and that talk will is used as a central part of their learning across the curriculum.

Oracy is a vital life skill. It has been proven to improve children’s outcomes in all areas of learning. It also fosters wellbeing and confidence, enabling all children to have a voice and to be heard.

Oracy equips children with the skills they need in their lives beyond school and to be active members of the community.

The Oracy Framework helps to distinguish the skills needed to communicate effectively. It is broken down into 4 stands:

 What Does It Look Like In The Classroom?

Pupils learn to talk through access to scaffolding resources such as Talk Tactics, Talk Like A.. cards and modelled interactions. They have opportunities to present their work verbally and take part in regular discussions and debates, utilising our talk protocols. 

In lessons across the curriculum, pupils learn through talk by regularly taking part in group discussion, using a variety of groupings, as well as being encouraged to explore their topic by summarising information, clarifying facts and presenting their findings verbally.

Pupils are rewarded for using oracy skills through the award of an Oracy Oracle house point.

As well as speaking skills, pupils follow the ‘listening ladder’ to develop their listening skills.

How Can I Help At Home?

You can help by actively engaging in conversation with your child.

Ask your child to explain their reasons and teach them that it is good to disagree and to change your mind. Initiate some discussions and debates – dinner time is a great time to do this as a family.

Discuss new words and support them to broaden their vocabulary.