Mike’s Blog
Strategies, Ideas and Insights for Teachers and Leaders
Tag: oracy skills
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Why is assigning group roles a gamechanger for improving the quality of classroom discussion?
One of the difficulties inherent to group discussion is the teacher’s ceding of control. This can result in learners using the opportunity to talk socially or do no work. Another…
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Understand how skilled teachers use ground rules to bring discussion to life and make it work for all their learners
Life is governed by rules. As adults we implicitly know, acknowledge, and act in accordance with these. Many learners make the complaint that school life is riddled with rules. An…
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Discover how to develop your learners’ oracy skills by utilising the set-up of a job interview
Job Interview Discussion Strategy: Explanation This activity is best used towards the end of a unit of work. Explain to your class that several learners will be applying for jobs…
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Unlock the potential of one of the UK’s longest running TV programmes to create engaging discussion activities for your learners
Question Time Discussion Strategy: Explanation This activity is based on the long-running BBC television programme of the same name. It is best used when there are a series of different…
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Become a television chat show host in your classroom and create the kind of discussion opportunities you and your learners just can’t get anywhere else
Television Chat Show Discussion Strategy: Explanation Set the room up as follows. Place one chair at the front. This is the presenter’s chair. Next to that, angled-in slightly, place three…
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Why is radio phone-in a great discussion tool any teacher can use to develop oracy and collaborative learning?
Radio Phone-In Discussion Strategy: Explanation This activity uses the set-up of a radio show to create committed, in-depth discussion. Begin by dividing the class into four or five groups then…
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Channel Mel Gibson in Braveheart and give your learners the freedom they desire during your next classroom discussion
Free Discussion Discussion Strategy: Explanation Many discussion activities are heavily structured. This is to ensure learners get the most out of discussion, stay on task, and are challenged in a…
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Make use of this age-old drama technique to quickly and effortlessly stimulate discussion, minimal planning required
Freeze-Frame Discussion Strategy: Explanation A freeze-frame is a dramatic device. It is a point at which the ‘camera’ has stopped. The before and after are not seen by the audience,…
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Why a little bit of distance can transform who speaks in your classroom, and how confident they feel to do so
Distancing Discussion Strategy: Explanation Some topics can be difficult for learners to discuss because the material is too personal. Equally, some topics can evoke feelings and emotions that inhibit discussion.…
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A way to structure discussion that uses nothing more than a set of cards to achieve outstanding impact
Card Talk Discussion Strategy: Explanation This activity uses cards to encourage learners to discuss different aspects of a topic. You can use it with pairs or groups. Create a set…