Topical Talk skills and knowledge

Topical Talk discussions build the essential skills and knowledge needed for engaging with the world

Topical Talk discussions develop four essential skills: creativity, problem-solving, listening with an open mind and speaking with confidence.

The Skills Builder Universal Framework is used to guide discussions and reflect on progress. Each skill has 16 steps to mastery!

Listening

Step 0

I listen to others without interrupting

  • Step 1

    I listen to others and remember short instructions

  • Step 2

    I listen to others and can ask questions if I don't understand

  • Step 3

    I listen to others and can tell someone what it was about

  • Step 4

    I listen to others and can tell why they are communicating with me

  • Step 5

    I listen to others and record important information as I do

  • Step 6

    I show I am listening by how I use eye contact and body language

  • Step 7

    I show I am listening by using open questions to deepen my understanding

  • Step 8

    I show I am listening by summarising or rephrasing what I have heard

  • Step 9

    I am aware how a speaker is influencing me through their tone

  • Step 10

    I am aware of how a speaker is influencing me through their language

  • Step 11

    I listen critically and compare different perspectives

  • Step 12

    I listen critically and think about where difference in perspectives come from

  • Step 13

    I listen critically and identify potential bias in different perspectives

  • Step 14

    I listen critically and use questioning to evaluate different perspectives

  • Step 15

    I listen critically and look beyond the way the speakers speak or act objectively to evaluate different perspectives

Speaking

Step 0

I speak clearly to someone I know

  • Step 1

    I speak clearly in small groups of people I know

  • Step 2

    I speak clearly to individuals and small groups I do not know

  • Step 3

    I speak effectively by making points in a logical order

  • Step 4

    I speak effectively by thinking about what my listeners already know

  • Step 5

    I speak effectively by using appropriate language

  • Step 6

    I speak effectively by using appropriate tone, expression and gesture

  • Step 7

    I speak engagingly by using facts and examples to support my points

  • Step 8

    I speak engagingly by using visual aids to support my point

  • Step 9

    I speak engagingly by using tone, expression and gesture to engage listeners

  • Step 10

    I speak adaptively by changing my language, tone and expression depending on the response of listeners

  • Step 11

    I speak adaptively by planning for different possible responses of listeners

  • Step 12

    I speak adaptively by changing my content depending on the response of listeners

  • Step 13

    I speak influentially by changing the structure of my points to best persuade the listener

  • Step 14

    I speak influentially by changing examples and facts I use to best persuade the listener

  • Step 15

    I speak influentially by articulating a compelling vision that persuades the listener

Problem-solving

Step 0

I complete tasks by following instructions

  • Step 1

    I complete tasks by finding someone to help if I need them

  • Step 2

    I complete tasks by explaining problems to someone to get their advice

  • Step 3

    I complete tasks by finding information I need myself

  • Step 4

    I explore problems by creating different possible solutions

  • Step 5

    I explore problems by thinking about the pros and cons of possible solutions

  • Step 6

    I explore complex problems by identifying when there are no simple technical solutions

  • Step 7

    I explore complex problems by building my understanding through research

  • Step 8

    I explore complex problems by analysing the causes and effects

  • Step 9

    I create solutions for complex problems by generating a range of options

  • Step 10

    I create solutions for complex problems by evaluating the positive and negative effects of a range of options

  • Step 11

    I analyse complex problems using logical reasoning

  • Step 12

    I analyse complex problems by creating and testing hypotheses

  • Step 13

    I implement strategic plans to solve complex problems

  • Step 14

    I implement strategic plans to solve complex problems and assess their success

  • Step 15

    I implement strategic plans to solve complex problems and draw out learning to refine these plans over time

Creativity

Step 0

I imagine different situations

  • Step 1

    I imagine different situations and can say what I imagine

  • Step 2

    I imagine different situations and can bring them to life in different ways

  • Step 3

    I generate ideas when I’ve been given a clear brief

  • Step 4

    I generate ideas to improve something

  • Step 5

    I generate ideas by combining different concepts

  • Step 6

    I use creativity in the context of work

  • Step 7

    I use creativity in the context of my wider life

  • Step 8

    I develop ideas by using mind mapping

  • Step 9

    I develop ideas by asking myself questions

  • Step 10

    I develop ideas by considering different perspectives

  • Step 11

    I innovate effectively when working in a group

  • Step 12

    I innovate effectively by seeking out varied experiences and stimuli

  • Step 13

    I support others to innovate by sharing a range of tools

  • Step 14

    I support others to innovate by evaluating the right creative tools for different situations

  • Step 15

    I support others to innovate by coaching them to be more creative


Topical Talk knowledge

The Topical Talk Knowledge Framework has been designed to align to the Skills Builder Universal Framework, with 16 steps. It covers the most important knowledge to engage meaningfully with the news.

  • Steps 0-3 covers knowledge of news events and debates
  • Steps 4-7 covers knowledge of the information we consume
  • Steps 8- 12 covers knowledge of the context of the news, economic and historical
  • Steps 13-15 cover knowledge of the themes that shape the news

Knowledge

Step 0

I can name a news story

  • Step 1

    I can explain the main events in a news story

  • Step 2

    I can use important vocabulary specific to a news story

  • Step 3

    I can explain some different opinions people have about a news story

  • Step 4

    I can list some places where people find the news

  • Step 5

    I can explain ways to check if information is trustworthy

  • Step 6

    I can explain why it's important to find reliable news sources

  • Step 7

    I can explain how bias affects the news I see and hear

  • Step 8

    I can explain what is meant by historical, economic and cultural context

  • Step 9

    I can explain some of the context around a news story

  • Step 10

    I can explain how the context affected a news story and people’s opinions about it

  • Step 11

    I can explain the contextual similarities between news stories

  • Step 12

    I can define some common themes in the news – for example, power, justice and sustainability

  • Step 13

    I can identify a theme in a news story

  • Step 14

    I can explain how a theme has affected a news story and people’s opinions about it

  • Step 15

    I can explain the thematic links between news stories