TTS Talking Early Years Episode 1 | Oracy and Social Mobility with Mike Gardner
Jun 19, 2025
Mike Gardner, founder of the Oracy Shift, champions the critical role of oracy in education and its impact on social mobility. He discusses how the Covid-19 pandemic has compounded language gaps in children, emphasizing the importance of self-regulation amidst increased screen time. Mike advocates for integrating oracy across all learning areas to foster emotional well-being. He also hints at his upcoming book, which explores social mobility through a child's language development journey, aiming to bridge these gaps.
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Oracy's Dual Role in Development
- Oracy includes learning to talk and learning through talk, essential for academic and social success.
- Early intervention to bridge language gaps can improve well-being, emotional regulation, and social connections.
Vocabulary Gaps Affect Performance
- A high-performing Year 6 student didn't understand the word "orchestra" due to lack of cultural and linguistic exposure.
- Vocabulary gaps can hinder academic performance and comprehension for all students.
Pandemic's Impact on Language Skills
- COVID-19 has worsened children's social interaction, language use, and emotional regulation abilities.
- Social language skills are foundational, requiring renewed focus post-pandemic to close developmental gaps.