At St. Leonard's, our goal is to create classrooms where every child not only learns, but thrives. We want their voices to become the tools that shape their understanding. In our school, oracy skills are carefully interwoven into our highly-functioning curriculum, so that children develop the independence, knowledge and confidence to access and reach their potential in all areas of their learning. Oracy is a powerful tool that will transform the way children engage with every subject, so while these skills are specific to our English curriculum, we transfer and use them widely as a platform for all learning. 

What is Oracy?

Oracy is the ability to communicate effectively, confidently and thoughtfully. It encompasses the ability to articulate ideas, listen actively, engage in conversations, and communicate effectively verbally. Oracy is not just about speaking, but also involves understanding, active listening, and interacting with others through spoken language. 

Key aspects of oracy:

• Engagement:

  It involves engaging in discussions, asking questions, and responding to others in a thoughtful and respectful manner. 

• Active Listening:

  Oracy emphasises the importance of actively listening to understand and respond appropriately. 

• Vocabulary Development:

  Oracy encourages children to expand their vocabulary and use language creatively. 

• Collaboration:

  Oracy skills are essential for effective collaboration in group settings and problem-solving activities. 

• Presentational Skills:

  Oracy prepares children for presentations, both formal and informal, and helps them to develop confidence in sharing their ideas.

• Speaking and Listening:

  Children are taught to speak clearly and fluently, pronounce words correctly, and listen attentively to others. 

• Communication:

  Oracy focuses on the ability to express themselves clearly, coherently, and appropriately in various communication situations. 

What can you do to support your child's oracy at home?

1. Read aloud to your child

Reading aloud to your child, well beyond the age they can read for themselves, combines the benefits of talking, listening and storytelling within one activity that helps children build their vocabulary, learn to express their thoughts, and understand the structure of language.

2. Record a video diary

Many kids aspire to being vloggers or YouTube stars, so encourage them to start a video diary, either to chart their everyday life or to record special occasions like birthdays and holidays.

3. Play word games

Games like 20 Questions, Guess Who? and I Spy are great for helping children use descriptive language and think critically about what they’re saying.

4. Talk about their day

Ask your child what they did today, what lessons they enjoyed, what they learnt, their favourite thing that happened today etc. 

5. Phone a friend (or relative)

Persuade your child to take a break from their devices and practice their speaking skills by making an actual phone call. This will really help to build their confidence.

6. Go on a nature walk

This is a great pre-phonics activity for young children, who can be encouraged to listen carefully to the sounds they hear – from traffic to birdsong – and describe them. They can also describe the natural sights they see, such as trees, animals and birds and the sky.

7. Sign them up for a club

Joining extracurricular clubs is a good opportunity for your child to converse with different people outside the home or school environment. Many of them also involve taking instructions (such as being coached in sporting techniques or to complete science or art projects), and introduce them to different vocabulary relating to their new hobby.