Speaking confidently and effectively. Listening and responding. Participating in formal debates and structured discussions, summarising and presenting information.
NC outcomes (paraphrased; full text on gov.uk)
Pupils should be taught to:
- Speak confidently and effectively, including through:
- Using Standard English confidently in a range of formal and informal contexts, including classroom discussion
- Giving short speeches and presentations, expressing their own ideas and keeping to the point
- Participating in formal debates and structured discussions, summarising and/or building on what has been said
- Improvising, rehearsing and performing play scripts and poetry in order to generate language and discuss language use and meaning, using role, intonation, tone, volume, mood, silence, stillness, and action to add impact
Forward to KS4
This strand is the precursor for KS4 English — Spoken English.
Care note for EBSNA cohort
For EBSNA / SEMH learners at KS3, spoken English is often the most anxiety-laden strand. NEO’s pedagogical approach is to build trust and relational safety first, then introduce structured discussion at low stakes (one-to-one with the practitioner, or very small group with familiar peers), gradually moving toward more formal contexts as the learner is ready. Performance and presentation are not the entry point — relational dialogue is.
Mastery descriptors
- developing — speaks in short turns; needs prompts to develop ideas; one-to-one comfort
- secure — sustains contributions; adapts register to audience; participates in small-group discussion
- mastering — confident extended turns; structured presentation; handles questions and challenge