The report examines the speaking and listening skills of children and young people in the UK, highlighting their importance for learning, social development, and future opportunities. Key findings include:
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Benefits of strong speaking and listening skills: Research links these skills to academic progress, social and emotional development, workplace readiness, and civic engagement. However, there is currently no national guidance on teaching oracy.
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Children's self-perceived abilities:
- Day-to-day communication: Children feel strongest in interpersonal skills (listening, one-to-one conversations), with 81.4% rating themselves highly in listening and 75.3% in one-to-one conversations. Self-rated ability is lower in expressing ideas (62.9%) and feelings (44.8%).
- Practical skills: Self-perceived ability drops in classroom and performance settings, with 63.6% feeling confident asking teachers questions but only 40.2% confident speaking in front of an audience.
- Civic and advocacy skills: These are relatively stronger, with 61.7% confident speaking up for others and 62.3% confident challenging views.
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Gender differences: Boys generally rate themselves higher across most skills, particularly self-expressive and structured/formal contexts. Girls score higher in relational skills like listening and body language.
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Age differences: Self-perceived ability grows with age but dips during early adolescence. By 16-18, confidence is highest in relational and civic skills, while public speaking remains the weakest area.
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Free School Meal (FSM) uptake: Children not receiving FSMs rate themselves higher across all skills, with the widest gaps in everyday communication and structured classroom activities.
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Teacher findings: Opportunities for speaking and listening practice change with age. Storytelling and reading aloud decline in secondary schools, while structured oracy activities like debates and presentations are less frequent in the middle years, creating a "missing middle."
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Discussion and conclusions: While children excel in everyday communication, gaps remain in self-expression, practical skills, and equitable access. Addressing these challenges requires curriculum guidance, teacher support, and real-world opportunities for practice. The report emphasizes the need for consistent focus on speaking and listening skills throughout education to prepare children for life and society.
