Oral language. Interpersonal speaking. Speeches.

Whatever you call it, we want to help you get great writing and speaking from your students.

Why? It’s an important part of literacy.

At its most basic level, oral language is communicating with other people. But in terms of the curriculum, oral language is a way to teach your students to communicate effectively – which can lead to an increased skill in reading and writing. (Wilkinson, 1965.)

And because we’re passionate about increasing reading and writing achievement, we’ve put together some links and resources to use in your planning and teaching. Check them out!

 

1. This how-to infographic

We've got an awesome infographic designed to get your students writing killer speeches.

Download the PDF

2. Watch videos

Specifically, watch Kid President videos or TED talks. There are a few ways you can use these with your class:

• Brainstorm a list of things that make a great speech (and come up with the criteria for assessment with your class)
• Take an in-depth look at the rhythms, tempo and inflections people use when they’re speaking to an audience.
  
  

3. Mocomi – an archive of famous speeches

Mocomi is a great resource for famous speeches (historical and modern). Perfect for shared or guided reading lessons.

4. Check out Monroe's Motivated Sequence

Monroe’s Motivated Sequence is a well-known five-step outline for building a speech. Work through it step-by-step and you’ve just about got an oral language unit ready to go!

5. CSI Private Eye's writing lessons

It turns out that many of our CSI Private Eye writing lessons easily double as oral language lessons. For example, the argument writing graphic organiser in the Buried Army lesson is a ready-to-go speech planning template. Download it free right now!

If you have CSI Private Eye already, you’ll find the editing and revising mini-lessons in the student editions at the end of each writing lessons really helpful. There are mini lessons on:

• Word choice (Disappearing Pharoah, Play)
• Interesting introductions (Forgotten Moon Landing, Biography)
• Interesting conclusions (Rapa Nui, Narrative)
• Linking words (Buried Army, Argument)
• Audience (Lone Woman, Drama)
• Fact checking (Ship that Time Forgot, biography) 

Don’t have Private Eye? Check out a demo or sign up for a free trial!