

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

7 snips
Aug 21, 2025 • 17min
Episode 10 | The Oracy Gap: Who gets left behind? with Adam Marycz
In this discussion, Adam Marycz, an early years education consultant with a rich background in teaching, dives into the impact of socioeconomic status on children's oracy skills. He emphasizes the importance of 'cultural capital' and equitable access to educational resources. The conversation also touches on how the Early Years Pupil Premium can support learning, and the need for educators to effectively utilize tools like Recordable Pegs and Talking Pens. Adam advocates for recognizing diverse communication styles to bridge the oracy gap in education.

4 snips
Aug 14, 2025 • 18min
Episode 9 | What is Oracy and why is it important? with Adam Marycz
In this engaging discussion, Adam Marycz, an Early Years Education Consultant with a wealth of experience as a teacher and nursery manager, dives into the significance of oracy in early education. He highlights how effective speaking and listening can set children up for future success. Adam emphasizes the current lack of understanding around oracy and its role post-COVID-19. Educators learn practical strategies to foster communication skills while addressing the oracy gap, ultimately enriching children’s vocabulary and comprehension.

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.
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(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.


