English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. (ESB) welcomes the publication of the Oracy Education Commission’s Final Report, “We Need to Talk”, which emphasises the urgent need for a national commitment to prioritising oracy in schools across England.

“Now more than ever, we need our young people to be equipped to ask questions, to articulate ideas, to formulate powerful arguments, to deepen their sense of identity and belonging, to listen actively and critically, and to be well-steeped in a fundamental principle of a liberal democracy—that is, being able to disagree agreeably. That’s where investing in our young people, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, attributes, values and self-assurance, will help them to thrive in an uncertain future.” (pg. 4)

The report highlights the crucial role that speaking and listening skills play in empowering students to succeed academically and socially in an ever-changing world. It calls for embedding oracy throughout a child’s educational journey, ensuring that all learners, regardless of background or ability, have the opportunity to thrive in both academic pursuits and civic engagement.

With over 70 years of expertise in delivering learner-centred and inclusive oracy qualifications, ESB fully supports the vision outlined in “We Need to Talk” for establishing a national oracy entitlement.

Says ESB’s Chief Executive, Tina Renshaw:

It has been a consistent aim since ESB’s inception over 70 years ago to unlock the potential of children and young people by focusing on their speaking and listening skills or Oracy. In fact our purpose is that we want all learners to possess the oracy and English language skills they need to achieve their aspirations – we stretch the most able, support the least confident and realise the potential of all by closing the disadvantage gap. We have provided opportunities for thousands of children and young people to develop their Oracy, their sense of self and their voices.

“We support:

• the greater emphasis placed on the importance of spoken language;
• the vital need to prepare our young people for their futures in employment, training and education and the role of Oracy in that;
• the recognition that valuing voices and listening to children and young people is central to the nurturing role that teachers and learning play in children’s and young people’s lives
• ‘that Oracy education needs to be inclusive, accessible to all and for all and it also needs to be reflective of the lived experiences of our communities and of authentic voices.”

ESB will be digesting the report over the coming days and leading further conversations about how we can support the aims of a national Oracy entitlement and what role ESB can play to support schools, colleges and specialist providers of education to achieve this.

If you’d like to read a more detailed response from today’s national launch please click here.