Oracy Strategies
Discussion Roles
Discussion roles give students a specific part to play in group discussion. They ensure all students get the opportunity to talk in a structured way. Roles include: Instigator, Challenger, Prober, Summariser, Builder & Clarifier. You can use some or all of the roles in different scenarios.
Talking Points
Provocative statements or questions that engage students in discussion. These are often incorrect or controversial statements. The more stimulating and thought provoking the better.
Say It Again Better
This allows students to refine their verbal responses. Once students give their answer, we encourage them to, ‘Say it again, better’. You could include specific vocabulary you’d like them to use in order to improve their previous response.
Ranking & Sequencing
Students can sort, rank and categorise items into an order or group. This process lends itself to discussion. Students can use discussion roles in this as they decide on their chosen sequences.
Which One Does Not Belong?
This practical oracy strategy is a sorting activity which allows students to discuss the odd one out. This can be used to provoke debate and to encourage students to justify their responses.
Yes and…?
A technique in which students build on the previous point by verbally responding with, ‘Yes and…’ This will encourage a more collaborative and detailed final answer.
Question Tennis
A great activity in which students work in pairs to ask a question and then respond with an answer. Students can continue back and forth until their run out of questions or answers. This can help teachers to work out where there might be gaps in knowledge.
No Pen Day
An agreed day or lesson which is a ‘pens down’ period of time. All activities are oracy activities and all learning takes place by speaking & listening.
Speak Like A Specialist
Give students the opportunity to speak using subject specific vocabulary. They could have a crib sheet of vocabulary to use in their discussion, or sentence stems to use in presentational talk.