Headteacher Update Podcast: Teaching oracy in the primary school

This episode focuses on how we can teach oracy and speaking skills in the primary school, with practical tips, ideas, resources and advice. Our expert panel discuss what oracy is, why it matters, and the impact we have seen on pupils' speaking skills since Covid. We look at how we can teach oracy in the classroom and across the curriculum, including practical activities for the explicit teaching of oracy as well as ideas for authentic opportunities to encourage talk. We consider the role of vocabulary teaching, ask what high expectations for classroom talk look like, and hear examples of practice from two primary schools. And we address the important differences between "learning to talk" and "learning through talk" and the vital role of developing listening as well as speaking skills. We discuss whole-school strategies, including creating a culture where pupils feel able to speak-up, cross-curriculum planning for oracy, how to ensure consistent approaches, staff CPD, the role of extra-curricular clubs, and more. And we look at how we can engage parents in this work while also considering how we can best assess and monitor our pupils' progress in terms of oracy. This podcast has been produced in partnership with Pearson. Visit www.pearsonprimary.co.uk/podcast