CLF Education Director Sally Apps is among a small group of experts who will feature on a new national body designed to boost young people’s spoken language and listening skills.
The Commission on the Future of Oracy Education in England aims to provide a blueprint for oracy education at all stages of statutory education in England.
The group – launched on Friday – has been set up in response to the growing recognition of the importance of spoken language to children’s learning and life chances and increasing evidence and concern about the impact of the inconsistency, quality and accessibility of oracy education in schools.
Last week, Ofsted’s English education subject report identified major shortcomings in the current teaching of spoken language in schools.
Sally will be joined on the Commission by authors, professors and experts from the fields of education, academia, civil society, the arts, health and business.
It will be chaired by Geoff Barton, a former Headteacher and outgoing General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders.
The group is charged with gathering evidence on the economic and societal impacts of oracy education to outline an evidence-based framework for future oracy education to ensure children have the spoken language knowledge, skills and attributes to thrive in education, work and life.
Commission Chair Geoff Barton said: “As society changes so rapidly around us and we observe the rise of the robots, it is time to take the essential human skills of speaking and listening and move them centre-stage.
“We already know that spoken language opens doors to new knowledge, transforms our ability to learn effectively, and reaffirms some of the most important skills needed in a vibrant democracy – the ability to persuade, analyse, debate, disagree agreeably and listen critically.
“These are essential skills for a modern citizen. Oracy education has never been needed more.”
And Sally said: “It has never been more important for children to be able to understand the power of their authentic voice; I am delighted to be a part of this vital piece of work to ensure that as educators we provide the conditions for all children to realise this.”
The Commission is expected to reveal its findings and recommendations in September.
