Mike’s Blog
Strategies, Ideas and Insights for Teachers and Leaders
Tag: developing oracy skills
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How sitting learners in a circle presents multiple opportunities to develop their speaking and listening skills
Circle Time Discussion Strategy: Explanation Arrange the room so all the tables are moved to one side and the chairs are set out in a circle. Learners and teacher take…
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Is there a right level of control teachers need when using discussion to develop oracy in their classroom?
When we’re using discussion in the classroom, we need to decide how much control we want. There are four areas to think about when deciding on the right level of…
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What happens when expert teachers identify the purpose of discussion as part of their oracy planning?
It is important to identify the purpose behind a discussion as this allows the teacher to direct matters and to judge whether an activity has been successful. If you cannot…
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How can you effectively model discussion for your learners, immediately improving the quality of their speaking and listening?
As the teacher, learners are watching you and analysing how you behave. They act in accordance with what they observe. If you model excellent discussion, you set an example for…
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Why is bouncing the simplest and yet potentially most powerful tool teachers can use to develop oracy in their classrooms?
Most classrooms have the following structure: This structure commonly results in the teacher spending some of their time standing at the front of the room, conveying information to their learners.…
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How to use paired discussion, group discussion and whole-class discussion to develop learner oracy
A big part of oracy is facilitating discussions between learners. These can be in pairs, in groups, or they can involve the whole class. All three approaches have their benefits.…