How does talk shape learning?

In this episode, recorded live from the 2025 Literacy Summit, Dr Debra Myhill and Dr Rupert Wegerif dive into why oracy, the ability to speak and listen effectively, is at the heart of literacy.

They explore how teachers can create rich classroom discussions that build confidence, critical thinking, and inclusion. Join us as we discuss how dialogue can be both a means and an end in education, fostering deeper learning and a more thoughtful, engaged society.

Key takeaways:

• The role of oracy: Speaking and listening skills are fundamental to all learning. Before students learn to read and write, they make sense of the world through spoken language, shaping their cognitive and social development.
• Teachers as facilitators: Educators play a crucial role in guiding classroom discussions, modelling inquiry-based thinking, and creating an environment where students feel empowered to express their ideas and engage in deeper conversations.
• Assessment and learning: Traditional high-stakes testing may not always reflect a student's understanding. Through classroom dialogue, teachers can assess comprehension more effectively and identify misconceptions in real time.
• The role of AI in learning: While AI tools like ChatGPT present both opportunities and risks in education, dialogic teaching can help students use AI as a tool for inquiry rather than simply seeking quick answers.

Show notes:

• Debra Myhill - A sea of talk: Why oracy matters in literacy learning
• Rupert Wegerif - Education for dialogue in the AI-enhanced internet age 
• Rupert Wegerif - Dialogue as an aim of education as well as a means to education

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