Britain's education system is failing a generation by not teaching children how to speak effectively, according to a leading commentator. While schools focus on reading, writing and arithmetic, the essential skill of oracy—the ability to express oneself verbally—is being neglected, leaving young people unprepared for the workplace and adult life.
The call to prioritise speaking skills was championed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer before the election, who described oracy as "a skill for life". However, campaigners say he has failed to deliver on this promise. An open letter signed by former education secretaries Charles Clarke and Estelle Morris, writer Michael Rosen and 56 others urges Starmer to stick to his pledge, warning that in an age of AI and social division, speaking and listening skills are more vital than ever.
Despite a 2024 independent commission on oracy chaired by Geoff Barton calling for it to be made the "fourth R", the government's curriculum review published in March made no mention of the word. Critics argue that the system remains obsessed with exams and traditional knowledge, ignoring the need for pupils to learn how to present themselves, handle arguments and build relationships.
Some British universities, such as Reading and Bath, are already trialling group-based learning where teachers guide discussion rather than lecture. But many schools remain resistant to change, with pupils often glued to phones rather than conversing. As one commentator noted, the sight of children leaving school shouting or staring at screens is "seriously bad news".
