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In many schools, the focus is on creating moments for discussion, usually think–pair–share activities, group work, and whole-class debates. These can be valuable, but on their own, they are like

This article explores 10 classroom talk strategies from Tongue Fu Talking® that build oracy through structured, purposeful dialogue. It explains how approaches like Because, So, But, Connect-It, and Curriculum-Based Debates help students develop reasoning, metacognition, and confident expression, moving beyond superficial talk to meaningful learning across the curriculum.

Curriculum-based debates are a powerful classroom talk strategy, as they require both deep thinking and articulate expression. Within Tongue Fu Talking™, Chris Quigley's Oracy Framework, debates are built around two modes of talk: Explorer Mode–Talk for reasoning, discovery, and collaborative thinking, and Presenter Mode–Talk for structured, confident communication with an audience. These modes ensure that debates are not about winning arguments but about learning through talk, linking oracy directly to disciplinary knowledge and metacognitive strategies. Here, we show how our 480 curriculum-based debates across our four belt levels build both oracy and subject understanding.

This blog explores why a clear oracy framework is essential for learning across all subjects. It explains how classroom talk strategies, such as Because, But, So and Seeking Clues, build both communication skills and disciplinary knowledge in science, geography, and history. The article introduces Tongue Fu Talking™, a structured approach with two strands—Explorer Mode for reasoning and Presenter Mode for confident communication—designed to embed purposeful talk from EYFS to KS3.

In our Complete Guide to Oracy, we outlined how structured talk is essential for learning across all subjects. This article builds on that foundation by examining why oracy is increasingly recognised as vital in education. It draws on findings from parliamentary committees, recent Ofsted reports, and research evidence, all of which highlight a gap in how spoken language is developed and assessed in schools.

This blog introduces Tongue Fu Talking™, a structured oracy framework for EYFS to KS3. It explains why oracy is essential for speaking and listening progression, and how teachers can embed it across the curriculum using two modes of talk: Explorer Mode (for reasoning and discussion) and Presenter Mode (for performance and persuasion). The framework’s 23 teachable oracy skills are organised into four disciplines—The Stance, The Flow, The Mind and The Bond—supported by a clear, motivating belt system. With links to oracy CPD, sentence stems, and classroom resources, this is your complete guide to teaching talk with clarity and confidence.