Creating Value In Schools
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The Oracy Education Commission’s report, We need to talk, argues for an increased emphasis on oracy education. The Commission would like to see oracy become the fourth ‘R’ of education – alongside reading, writing and arithmetic.
They put the case that:
The report defines oracy as: articulating ideas, developing understanding and engaging with others through speaking, listening and communication.
They see it as comprising three main elements.
The use of the term ‘communication’ alongside speaking and listening is to recognise other forms of communication, such as sign-language.
The report argues that oracy matters on a number of counts:
Oracy is intrinsic to children’s early development, to the testing of thought, to social and emotional well-being, to confidence, agency and the ability to challenge or debate important issues in civil and constructive ways. Now, with an increasingly polarised society, the demands of a global economy, the surge of artificial intelligence, the persistent and pernicious achievement gap and resulting inequity of life chances, the imperative for prioritising oracy in education has grown rather than diminished. (‘We need to talk’, page 7)
They see oracy as a ‘golden thread’ to be embedded throughout a child’s time in education.
It has a particular role to play in the early years, when through early language development, it helps create the foundation for future educational achievement.
At the other end of the spectrum, it supports employability, with communication and interpersonal skills highly valued in the workforce.
Oracy can also support children in building relationships, reducing feelings of isolation, and enabling them to express thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
There’s a civic dimension too – preparing young people to be active, engaged and reflective citizens, who can engage in discussion and critical thinking.
The report makes a number of recommendations, including the following.
Back in July 2023, Keir Starmer resolved to put oracy at the heart of Labour’s approach to education:
We will weave oracy through a new national curriculum that finally closes the gap between learning and life, academic and practical, vocational skills, school and work. A curriculum that will finally crack the code on digital skills too. (Keir Starmer unveils Labour’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity at every stage)
We don’t yet know how or to what extent that will be put into practice.
