Mike’s Blog
Strategies, Ideas and Insights for Teachers and Leaders
Tag: oracy
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The magic ability of oracy to empower learners, help them articulate their thoughts, and improve their ability to write
Babies cannot articulate their needs. One of the most difficult tasks parents first encounter is trying to establish what it is their baby wants when it exhibits distress, most often…
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How using the word ‘might’ can instantly transform questioning and discussion in your classroom
Consider the following questions: The meaning of the sentence is significantly altered by the word ‘might’. In sentence (1) there is an implied presumption that the questioner knows the answer…
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How does ‘wait time’ change the impact of every question you ask, creating better answers in any lesson?
In many situations, teachers encourage learners to take their time: All these comments are intended to help learners understand that taking a little longer and going a little slower often…
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How can you structure a formal debate in your classroom and use it to help learners speak confidently in front of their peers?
Formal Debate Discussion Strategy: Explanation A formal debate is a highly structured, turn-taking discussion in which participants are bound by rules designed to create a competitive, antagonistic (in the sense…
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Bring the PhD viva experience to your classroom and challenge learners to articulate themselves with clarity
Viva Discussion Strategy: Explanation A viva, or viva voce, is an oral examination, usually undertaken by PhD learners and used in some other educational settings. It involves one or more…
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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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Use the method of cross-examination that keeps government ministers in check to supercharge discussion in your classroom
Select Committee Discussion Strategy: Explanation Select Committees are made up of groups of MPs or members of the House of Lords. The House of Commons has Select Committees for each…
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The interview-style discussion activity that uses three steps to generate engagement, excitement and high-quality classroom talk
Three-Step Interview Discussion Strategy: Explanation The teacher introduces a question, a statement or some stimulus material. Learners are divided into groups of four. In each group, pupils are labelled A,…
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Discover how to use the colours of the rainbow to structure effective, meaningful and engaging discussions in your classroom
Rainbow Groups Discussion Strategy: Explanation This activity generates two discussions. In the first, a series of different groups discuss different topics. In the second, the members of those groups disband…
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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.…