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Britain’s Schools Fail to Teach Speaking Skills, Urgently Need Oracy Reform

Opinion

Business Honor - UK Schools Fail in Oracy, Urgent Reform Needed

Business Honor
25 July, 2025

British education prioritizes exams over communication; experts urge focus on oracy for future readiness.

One of the biggest problems with Britain’s education system is its failure to teach children how to speak well. The ability to communicate is just as important as the other core skills like reading, writing and Maths. Yet it’s often ignored in schools. Employers often complain that young people lack teamwork, confidence and social skills even if they perform well in exams. Most lessons are focused on quiet exam preparation. Children aren’t taught how to present ideas, listen actively or debate respectfully. That’s where oracy which is nothing but learning through speaking and listening comes in.

A few charities, schools and an independent 2024 commission led by Geoff Barton have pushed for oracy to be taken seriously. The report called for speaking skills to be treated as important as reading, writing, and arithmetic. Labour leader Keir Starmer briefly supported this idea, calling it essential for confidence, learning and emotional well-being. But he hasn’t followed through. Oracy was not even mentioned in the government's March curriculum review.

Public leaders and academics like Alastair Campbell and Michael Rosen are currently asking with Starmer to keep his word. They say that communication skills are more important than ever in a world of growing artificial intelligence, inequality and mental health issues. In the meantime, some US and UK universities are investigating more discussion-based, group-based instruction.

However, the majority of British schools keep focusing on silent learning and quantifiable outcomes. Even when young people deal with a reality that needs more than exam scores, the system remains resistant to change. Students who receive a truly modern education should be able to communicate, think, and interact with others. Leaders in politics ought to pay attention and assist youth in finding their voices.