Oracy and current affairs: why talking about the news matters

10 June 2025

Oracy and current affairs: why talking matters

Tuesday June 10th, 4:30pm - 5:10pm (BST)

Suitable for teachers of 10-16-year-olds

The Curriculum and Assessment Review Interim Report for England made it clear that the National Curriculum must build the skills and knowledge to help address global and social change. To do this, children need to be able to communicate effectively about the biggest local, national and global issues they face.

“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.”
Geoff Barton, Chair of the Commission on the Future of Oracy Education in England

Teachers are looking for ways to bring talk-based techniques into their practice to encourage open-minded and critical discussion about the world. Join this webinar to get practical tips on why Topical Talk’s current affairs lessons are a fantastic training-ground for oracy.

The webinar will:

Share the pedagogies behind oracy-focused classroom activities on current affairs
Give practical tips for how to set-up student-led discussions
Talk through how Topical Talk teaching resources support oracy