Oracy is the ability to articulate ideas, develop understanding and engage with others through spoken language. When we engage in dialogue we are not merely repeating or regurgitating. We are exchanging or reasoning across differences between our different perspectives. We assume that all learners are different individuals with different perspectives, having different strengths and weaknesses. At Birkwood, oracy is a powerful tool for learning; by teaching pupils to become more effective speakers and listeners we empower them to better understand themselves, each other and the world around them. Oracy is also a route to social mobility, empowering all students, not just some, to find their voice to succeed in school and life.
Birkwood Ground Rules for Conversation
- If possible, look at the person speaking
- Aim to listen and think – not wait
- Be ready to contribute
Classroom Climate for Oracy
- Talk provides opportunities to further learning
- All children are working hard to answer (no opt out)
- Everyone learning
- Deep learning is taking place
- Children respectfully agree, build and challenge
- Less teacher talk, more children talk
- Critical, collaborative, creative and caring thinking
Teacher Talk
Teacher talk prompts, probes, reassures, reiterates, clarifies, praises and supports
Pupil Talk
Learners are actively involved in making ‘meaning’ of new information, which involves a collaborative process of exploring, questioning, answering, discussing, deliberating, explaining, exemplifying, comparing, connecting, applying, evaluating, synthesising, creating, and presenting.
Educational Theory
“What counts is the extent to which instruction requires students to think, not just to report someone else’s thinking.”
Nystrand et al 1997
“If an answer does not give rise to a new question from itself, it falls out of the dialogue.”
Bakhtin 1986
Birkwood Talk for Learning Padlet
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