Oracy—the ability to speak and listen effectively—is gaining renewed emphasis in education as a skill as fundamental as literacy and numeracy, experts and educators say. The importance of developing spoken communication skills in children is being highlighted amid concerns that modern technology and social changes may be undermining verbal fluency from an early age.

A new curriculum framework set to be introduced next year explicitly prioritizes oracy, encouraging schools to integrate speaking and listening activities across subjects rather than restricting them to English lessons or debate clubs. Oracy involves more than just using a particular accent; it requires building sentences, selecting appropriate vocabulary, and developing the confidence to express ideas clearly.

This focus comes in the context of broader challenges. Educators report that schools are increasingly asked to address a wide range of responsibilities beyond teaching core skills—such as promoting citizenship, ethics, hygiene, and self-control—resulting in crowded curricula and strained resources. Meanwhile, parents often grapple with balancing protectiveness and ambition, and some children arrive in school with developmental delays, complicating efforts to build foundational skills.

Researchers have long documented that children’s early language exposure varies significantly. A study from three decades ago in the United States suggested that preschoolers who spend several hours daily in front of screens are exposed to thousands fewer words than those with more conversational interaction. More recent work nuances this finding by noting that some deprived communities maintain rich oral traditions through family or religious settings, illustrating that socioeconomic status alone does not determine verbal development.

Nevertheless, the widespread use of smartphones and tablets has sparked concerns that many children experience a “verbal deficit” from a young age. This trend is significant because early spoken language skills not only support learning but also build confidence and social engagement. Teachers emphasize that conversation—including playful use of new words—helps children process and internalize ideas, and that screen-based calming methods may inadvertently hinder verbal growth.

Employers have expressed frustration with younger generations’ difficulties in phone communication, and public protests often feature chanting of slogans without opportunities for deeper discussion. Educators warn that limited conversational skills make individuals more vulnerable to persuasive rhetoric without critical engagement.

The shift to online university applications and virtual learning environments, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has reduced direct interaction between students and professors, potentially diminishing opportunities for oral debate and discussion. Teachers advocate for oracy to be embedded across the curriculum, from science to physical education, fostering communication skills in all contexts.

However, challenges remain. Classroom discipline issues and packed schedules can limit time for speaking practice. Moreover, some schools face dilemmas about behavior management in the context of trauma-informed approaches, which some educators fear may restrict appropriate responses to incidents of misbehavior, affecting learning environments.

Ultimately, educators emphasize that effective oracy development requires commitment both in schools and at home. Parents play a crucial role in engaging children in conversation, counteracting the isolating effects of screen time. Without a coordinated effort, there is concern that essential communication skills may continue to erode in an increasingly digital world.