Promoting Effective Classroom Talk Through Oracy Development

Its Good to talk: Promoting effective talk in the classroom

AGENDA What is oracy? 1. Why is developing oracy important? 2. How effectively is the teaching of oracy embedded within our schools? 3. How can we plan for and promote effective classroom talk across the school? 4. What are some key take-away-and-use- tomorrow strategies that might support effective classroom talk? 5.

WHAT IS ORACY? Oracy is the ability to articulate ideas, develop understanding and engage with others through spoken language Voice 21 Why is developing oracy important? Has a measurable impact on academic attainment Great rehearsal for writing, especially in utilising an academic metalanguage Empowers pupils to find their voices and function within a democratic society A sought after skill by employers Raises pupil confidence and self-esteem Post-covid moral imperative to foster greater communication skills / support mental pupils mental health 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Why is developing oracy important, especially within our international context? Learning to speak is the foundational building block of literacy. You are the only second chance for some children to have a rich language experience. If these children are not getting it at school, they are not getting it. (Professor Neil Mercer) It takes second language learners approximately two years to achieve functional social use of a second language, but four to seven years to achieve a level of academic linguistic proficiency compared to their English speaking peers. Stage 1 beginning A year and a half Stage 2 familiar with English Three years Stage 3 confident in English Three years Reference: English as an Additional Language: An empirical study of stages of English proficiency by Feyisa Demie, Head of Research and Statistics.

Reflection: How effectively is the teaching of oracy embedded within our schools? The Oracy Benchmarks 1. Set high expectations for oracy 2. Values every voice All students are supported to participate in, and benefit from, classroom talk and opportunities for oracy Students are listened to and encouraged to develop their ideas further. The culture of the classroom is such that students listen meaningfully to each other and develop each other s ideas. Ambitious and challenging norms for talk are established Students understand the expectations for talk in our classrooms Opportunities for oracy are regular Opportunities for oracy are purposeful, appropriately pitched and thoughtfully planned 4. Harnesses oracy to elevate learning 5. Appraises progress in oracy Students progress in oracy is evaluated Students have opportunities to reflect on and receive meaningful feedback on their oracy 3. Teaches oracy explicitly Students deepen their knowledge and understanding within a subject through oracy Students are engaged in dialogue which encourages them to articulate, justify and expand their ideas Students have the opportunity to share, develop and consolidate their understanding through talk. Teachers have a strong understanding of what good oracy looks like in different contexts Oracy is taught intentionally The planning for oracy is deliberate and strategic Pupils oracy is developed over time Key takeaways:

4. How can we plan for and promote effective classroom talk across the school?

4. How can we plan for and promote effective classroom talk across the school?

5. What are some key take-away-and-use-tomorrow strategies that might support effective classroom talk? 1. Set high expectations for oracy 3. Teaches oracy explicitly Modelling talk Reading challenging texts to pupils Chanting tier 2 / academic vocabulary Full sentence responses Use of sentence stems Say it again, say it better Clever curriculum planning 2. Values every voice Talk partners Think pair share Thunks Snowball Talking burst Speed-dating activities Supporting the quieter pupil My next step in promoting effective classroom talk either within my classroom or across the school will be Further Reading