Oracy in state schools

‘Speaking and Listening’ has been part of the English Primary National Curriculum for years.

It’s incredibly important and very over looked.

I worked primarily with children with SEN and with children learning English as an Additional Language, and it’s absolutely vital in both areas.

Well yes, but it is nothing new. I remember oracy projects in the 80s and speaking, listening, reading and writing have always been at the heart of the National Curriculum and the Literacy Strategy. The problem is that reading and writing are the things that the press, politicians and the nostalgia brigade bang on about, so oracy has not always had the focus it needed.
I am delighted that Starmer has focussed on it and I hope it can bring about real improvement.

Cross-posts FannyCornforth. 😊

I didn’t know that, but it seems that hopefully more importance will be put on this skill. It is part of Labours plan to open up opportunity for state school chikdren and remove various barriers along with the old fashioned attitude towards academic and vocational qualifications.

Positive ideas.

I am also pleased to see that he is talking about recruitment and retention which need to be the absolute priorities for school improvement.

I'm very supportive of any move in schools which aims to improve oral communication. I believe that the simple yet vital art of conversation has suffered badly in recent years, largely because of the predominance of social media and internet-based communication. We're social beings, and speech is central to establishing meaningful contacts and to making society work and prosper.

Speech and listening are skills that need to be developed from the very beginning so I hope there will also be a return to something similar to SureStart and a focus on pre-school.

I remember it being part of the National Curriculum when I taught upper juniors in the 1990s.

Mamie

Speech and listening are skills that need to be developed from the very beginning so I hope there will also be a return to something similar to SureStart and a focus on pre-school.

With regard to early years- Labour are hoping to mend the damage caused by the Tory government and looking to recruit graduate teachers in order to prepare the children better for school.

Oracy is surely embedded in the mother baby relationship from the day of birth?
Seems to me that schools actively dissuade verbal communication as listening to the teacher takes precedence?

My under five year old grandchildren are well advanced in verbal communication but my eldest 7 year old is finding some aspects of learning extremely tedious! I think it’s the whole learning package which needs to engage and sometimes doesn’t.

ronib

Oracy is surely embedded in the mother baby relationship from the day of birth?
Seems to me that schools actively dissuade verbal communication as listening to the teacher takes precedence?

My under five year old grandchildren are well advanced in verbal communication but my eldest 7 year old is finding some aspects of learning extremely tedious! I think it’s the whole learning package which needs to engage and sometimes doesn’t.

No it is far more than that.

I remember the emphasis on talking and listening when I was training in the 1960s, and ever after. Many, not all, children are articulate and able to express themselves clearly, but listening skills are lacking and need as much attention.

Yes ronib I have heard the very real frustrations of teachers on just the basics like behaviour and speech in their young pupils. One of the problems is getting some families onboard otherwise things like communication are discouraged. It’s not a simple area to fix.

Lollin

Yes ronib I have heard the very real frustrations of teachers on just the basics like behaviour and speech in their young pupils. One of the problems is getting some families onboard otherwise things like communication are discouraged. It’s not a simple area to fix.

That is why Labour are concentrating on early years and sure start.

Babies go to nursery now at a very young age (-weeks or months) and it will be part of this curriculum as well, so that by the time children arrive at primary school a lot if these problems will be ironed out.

Lollin my 6 year old expressed frustration at not being allowed to have a drink when he was thirsty. I was surprised by his response. School routine can seem quite draconian to the more creative children.

Ww2 some problems will be ironed out then only to be replaced by other issues? For example poor family bonds and relationships.

ronib

Ww2 some problems will be ironed out then only to be replaced by other issues? For example poor family bonds and relationships.

Sorry, I don’t understand you?

In my school in Glasgow, oracy was always a major focus.
Primary 7 pupils from every primary school in East Renfrewshire, were invited annually to speak at the Provost's debate in the council chambers.
The Provost chaired the debate, with topics chosen by the pupils themselves.

As for no drinks, all our children had water bottles on their desk, provided by the school. Water is essential for brain power.

Ww2 I think the mother child bond is paramount and sending babies to nursery when weeks old and introducing oracy is not going to pan out well in the long run. How about enabling parents to be with their children in the early years?

ronib

Ww2 I think the mother child bond is paramount and sending babies to nursery when weeks old and introducing oracy is not going to pan out well in the long run. How about enabling parents to be with their children in the early years?

Is that an opinion or one based on evidence?

Ww2 yes there’s a load of books on the subject but have to go out to help with my granddaughter now.

Oh I am surprised, perhaps you will give me a list of them when you are back🙂

ronib

Ww2 I think the mother child bond is paramount and sending babies to nursery when weeks old and introducing oracy is not going to pan out well in the long run. How about enabling parents to be with their children in the early years?

My children were in nursery from the age of two. One is a senior comms professional and the other is a language teacher.
My grandchildren were in full-time nursery from four months. Both highly successful academically and excellent presentation and communication skills.
Doesn't seem to have done them any harm....
😂

Yes my GC were also in nursery from a very young age. Both bonded very closely to both parents and us🙂. One just finishing his electrical engineering degree and considering his future the other still undecided as to what he wants to do.