Mike Gardner

Mike Gardner, founder of the Oracy Shift and teaching lead for the Maritime Academy Trust, dives into the importance of integrating oracy into school culture. He discusses leveraging everyday moments, like school drop-offs, to engage parents and foster social interactions. The conversation highlights informal settings, such as lunch and extracurricular activities, as vital for developing language skills. Gardner emphasizes building trust with parents for collaborative oracy education, ultimately enhancing children's communication and emotional well-being.

In this engaging discussion, Mike Gardner, Founder of the Oracy Shift and teaching lead at the Maritime Academy Trust, shares his insights on the power of language in education. He highlights how oracy enhances children's self-efficacy and emotional regulation, helping them articulate thoughts and feelings. The conversation delves into the importance of fostering positive relationships and inclusivity in classrooms. Gardner shares compelling stories, including strategies for supporting a young girl new to the UK, and discusses gender dynamics in language development.

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.