Voice 21 is the secretariat for the Oracy All-Party Parliamentary Group. In 2019, the group launched the Speak for Change Inquiry to improve oracy education for every child in every school.

On April 28 2021, the APPG published its final report from the Speak for Change Inquiry which highlights the significant impact of the pandemic on the already marked spoken ‘language gap’ between disadvantaged students and their peers.

The report highlights the many benefits of oracy education and the detrimental impacts of a lack of provision for those that need it most.  The stark evidence presented on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on spoken language serves to strengthen the need to act now. Whilst the fantastic case studies from schools across the UK illuminate the difference a sustained and comprehensive focus on oracy education can make to the lives of children and young people. 

As with our own research, the report finds that teachers recognise the importance of oracy but often face barriers in giving it the attention it deserves. We therefore particularly welcome the APPG’s calls for greater investment in teacher development for oracy and new non-statutory guidance from the Department for Education. 

If you’re interested in find out more about our work to support the Oracy All-Party Parliamentary Group, and how you can get involved, please email us: [email protected]

© 2022 Voice 21. Voice 21 is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity number 1152672 | Company no. 08165798