Page 54 - The Moretonian 2025
P. 54
The Power of Your Voice
Putting Oracy
into Practice
Human relationships are managed and negotiated through talk. That’s why
the ability to articulate our views clearly helps us to connect, collaborate,
and navigate everyday life.
This may not seem surprising. However, a wealth Caitlin enthused: “I never imagined I’d reflect on
of research shows that the education system is a journey that started with memorising Modern
not equipping young people with the essential Love by John Keats in 2022.
communication skills needed to thrive in the
world of work. “At the time, I was knee-deep in A Levels, already
dreading written exams—and suddenly expected
In fact, “...graduates report that they lack to be assessed on spoken word. Terrifying. I
competence in sophisticated speaking skills such doubted the qualification’s value and may have
as articulating their argument (Jackson, 2014), told my accountant parents it was more pointless
while employers, who consistently rate oral than algebra—not my best moment.
communication as one of the most important
graduate attributes, find this skill lacking in new “Truthfully, I didn’t love every part. Choosing my
recruits (Brink & Costigan, 2015; Gray, 2010).” topic was fine. Delivering it? A different story.
(Hill 2021) Nerves got to me more than once. But thanks to
Moreton’s support, I pushed through. And it paid
So why is Moreton Hall different? off. That qualification helped set me apart when
applying for my dream degree apprenticeship at a
Embedded in the ethos of this Big 4 firm.
school is the understanding “Fast forward to summer 2024: I’ve joined
that oracy informs all aspects KPMG’s audit team. Then came the bombshell: I
of learning: critical thinking, had to prepare and present a pitch to managers
and 20 colleagues in my first week.
problem-solving, innovation,
collaboration and cross-cultural And you know what? I nailed it. I’d
communication. done it before. Miss Pritchard’s
voice in my head—breathe, slow
The best way to illustrate the impact of oracy on down, focus—got me through. My
a student’s educational journey is to read about A Levels mattered, but nothing
Caitlin Price’s journey (OM 2024). She exemplifies prepared me for real-world work
how one year’s study of Spoken English using
the English Speaking Board (ESB) assessment like that ESB qualification. ”
framework led to a degree apprenticeship at
KPMG!
54 The Moretonian 2025
