Before we start with the why, we have to be clear about the what. Oracy education is not simply about speaking more in lessons. It’s about students developing their spoken language skills so that they can express themselves clearly in a range of contexts.
Without finding their voice, our young people can’t flourish in the wider world. They won’t be successful in their careers, or relationships: as part of a team. It’s our job as educators to teach communication skills explicitly to our young people. This is why oracy education must be at the centre of our teaching and their learning.
There is often the assumption that young people don’t need to be taught how to speak, it’s simply something they inherently know, unlike reading and writing. This is not true and this is the myth we need to bust. Not all children engage in discussions in their home environments, just as we know not all children read at home. Where else will they learn these skills unless in school?
Now let’s be clear, oracy education is not about elocution lessons making all of our young people speak in the same way. Their voice should be an authentic part of who they are: they should be encouraged to embrace their accents, dialects and heritage, but also have an understanding of the appropriate use of register and formality when speaking.
So why oracy? The reasons are endless and one not more important than the other. We know the mental health benefits that come with students having the ability to share their feelings. Their wellbeing is enhanced and with this comes a sense of empowerment. Research has also shown that reasoned discussions help to improve critical thinking skills and for many students, attainment. But in my opinion, it’s about more than this. It’s about young people having the ability to express themselves confidently in a range of contexts. It’s about helping them to understand who they really are, and not be afraid to express that.
