

TTS Talking Early Years
TTS
COMING SOON: Series 6 - SEN in the Early Years 👀
Welcome to the TTS Talking Early Years Podcast. Each week, we’ll be joined by guest experts, early years practitioners, and our in-house educational experts as we discuss everything Early Years!
SIGN-UP NOW with your email address and be the first to hear about our brand new podcast episodes. Plus, unlock access to exclusive content, personalised resource recommendations, and amazing offers.
We’ll be sharing practical guidance and inspiration for your settings, signposting you to relevant resources, and providing exclusive supporting content that will help you inspire the next generation of learners. Our bitesize episodes are the perfect addition to your morning routine or evening downtime, so grab yourself a cup of tea and get comfortable as we unlock the potential for learning in the Early Years.
🛒 To shop for resources relevant to the topics discussed in this podcast, visit the TTS website here.
Welcome to the TTS Talking Early Years Podcast. Each week, we’ll be joined by guest experts, early years practitioners, and our in-house educational experts as we discuss everything Early Years!
SIGN-UP NOW with your email address and be the first to hear about our brand new podcast episodes. Plus, unlock access to exclusive content, personalised resource recommendations, and amazing offers.
We’ll be sharing practical guidance and inspiration for your settings, signposting you to relevant resources, and providing exclusive supporting content that will help you inspire the next generation of learners. Our bitesize episodes are the perfect addition to your morning routine or evening downtime, so grab yourself a cup of tea and get comfortable as we unlock the potential for learning in the Early Years.
🛒 To shop for resources relevant to the topics discussed in this podcast, visit the TTS website here.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 21, 2025 • 17min
Episode 10 | The Oracy Gap: Who gets left behind? with Adam Marycz
Dr. Shaddai Tembo is joined again by Adam Marycz to discuss upbringings and backgrounds, as well as socioeconomic factors that affect oracy education. They highlight ‘cultural capital’ and the need for equity to provide everyone with access to opportunities and ask educators to think about what success looks like when supporting children from different backgrounds
The conversation moved on to how far Early Years Pupil Premium can support as well as doesn’t helping parents understand the importance where support is lacking in a multicultural society.
Practitioners may be interested in learning more about the role of resources, but only if educators are skilled in utilising them. TTS’ own Recordable Pegs, Recordable Mats and Talking Pens are examples of resources that can support the development of oracy skills if used effectively.
📌 To shop for resources relevant to this podcast conversation, click here.
Listened and loved it? Sign-up here for exclusive follow-up content and be the first to hear about new episodes.
(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.)

Aug 14, 2025 • 18min
Episode 9 | What is Oracy and why is it important? with Adam Marycz
Dr. Shaddai Tembo is joined by Adam Marycz, Early Years Education Consultant at TTS. The pair discuss what oracy can do to set up a young person for success in the future.
The conversation moves on to highlighting the lack of awareness on defining oracy and how there is still room to build understanding. They also focus on the context behind what we say, listening, ability to participate and learn together.
Practitioners may be interested in learning more about the oracy gap and how it isn’t being addressed, as well as how to support children and parents following the COVID-19 pandemic.
📌 To shop for resources relevant to this podcast conversation, click here.
Listened and loved it? Sign-up here for exclusive follow-up content and be the first to hear about new episodes.
(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.)
Please note: When referencing the speakers views, theory and work for development of your own materials, please ensure academic reference of the speaker is cited.

4 snips
Aug 7, 2025 • 17min
Episode 8 | Rolling out Consistent Oracy Strategies with Amy Gaunt
In this engaging chat, Amy Gaunt, Director of Learning at Voice21, highlights the vital role parents play in supporting oracy among young learners. With over 80% of parents advocating for oracy in schools, Amy discusses enlightening parents through workshops to spark inspiration at home. The conversation delves into the impact of digital technology on communication skills and the need for screen-free learning. Amy also shares insights on viewing oracy as a 'golden thread' in education and offers resources to help implement these strategies effectively.

9 snips
Jul 31, 2025 • 17min
Episode 7 | Debate, Drama, and Storytelling in Oracy Education with Amy Gaunt
Amy Gaunt, Director of Learning at Voice21, brings her expertise in oracy education to the discussion. She highlights practical classroom strategies, including debate, drama, and storytelling, that enhance communication skills. The conversation emphasizes creating 'oracy muscles' and fostering ongoing oracy development. Gaunt also explores the significance of integrating oracy into extracurricular activities and the importance of supporting students during critical transitions in their educational journey. Listeners gain valuable insights to enrich their teaching approaches.

11 snips
Jul 24, 2025 • 18min
Episode 6 | Supporting oracy in the classroom with Amy Gaunt
Join Amy Gaunt, Director of Learning at Voice21, as she dives into the world of oracy education. She explores how teachers can create high expectations for student voices and the significance of valuing diverse accents and dialects. The conversation highlights the importance of exploratory talk, the role of non-purposeful discussions, and the delicate balance of scaffolding versus independence in classroom dialogue. Amy's insights inspire educators to make every voice heard and the classroom a vibrant space for communication.

8 snips
Jul 17, 2025 • 17min
Episode 5 | Defining and unpicking oracy with Amy Gaunt
Amy Gaunt, the Director of Learning at Voice21, dives into the fascinating world of oracy—skills critical for effective communication. They discuss how an oracy-rich curriculum not only boosts academic success but also fosters healthy relationships. Amy explains the four strands of their oracy framework and emphasizes the need for human skills in a tech-dominated age. Discover the power of what’s unsaid and how developing these skills can profoundly impact children's futures, preparing them for life beyond the classroom.

12 snips
Jul 10, 2025 • 18min
Episode 4 | Everyday Opportunities for Oracy with 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.

7 snips
Jul 3, 2025 • 16min
Episode 3 | Oracy and Wellbeing in Primary Schools with Mike Gardner
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.

4 snips
Jun 26, 2025 • 16min
Episode 2 | Oracy in Formative Assessment with Mike Gardner
Dr. Shaddai Tembo is joined again by Mike Gardner to discuss how teachers can use oracy in their assessment practices. They touch on how oracy helps to model new learning and shifting from teacher talk to learner talk.
Shaddai and Mike talk about the role of the whole school in supporting and enabling educators to roll out an oracy-rich curriculum, allowing practitioners to think whether their own school values and policies are setting the right standards.
Practitioners may be interested to learn more strategies for effective learner-centred talk, the influence teachers have on communication, and ways of managing dominant voices in the classroom.
📌 To shop for resources relevant to this podcast conversation, click here.
Listened and loved it? Sign-up here for exclusive follow-up content and be the first to hear about new episodes.
(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.)
Please note: When referencing the speakers views, theory and work for development of your own materials, please ensure academic reference of the speaker is cited.

Jun 19, 2025 • 16min
Episode 1 | Oracy and Social Mobility with Mike Gardner
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.