18 October 2026 | Public Speaking, Education & Communication
For years, we've taught young people how to read and write. But have we given them the same opportunities to learn how to speak?
This week, an important announcement from Education Secretary Lucy Powell brought the value of spoken communication firmly into the national conversation.
Speaking at the Confederation of School Trusts conference on 15 October, Powell announced plans to give oracy — the ability to express ourselves clearly, confidently and effectively — equal status to reading and writing in the English curriculum.
The proposals, reported in The Telegraph, could also see speaking and listening given greater importance within GCSE assessment.
For those of us who have spent years working in education, this is a significant moment. It recognises something that I have long believed: the ability to communicate confidently is not simply a useful skill. It is a fundamental part of personal, academic and professional success.
The Skill We Have Overlooked
Think about the moments in life that really matter.
A job interview. A university presentation. A difficult conversation. A meeting in which you need to make your voice heard. Even the simple act of introducing yourself to someone new.
In each of these situations, our ability to communicate can make an enormous difference.
Yet while schools dedicate considerable time to developing reading and writing, opportunities to practise public speaking are often less structured, less frequent and less accessible.
Many young people leave education with excellent academic qualifications but still struggle to articulate their ideas in front of others.
And this is not necessarily because they lack intelligence, knowledge or ambition.
Often, they simply haven't had enough opportunities to practise.
Confidence Is Developed, Not Inherited
One of the most important aspects of the Government's announcement is its recognition that confident communication has too often been associated with privilege.
Some young people grow up in environments where debate, discussion, presentations and public speaking are encouraged from an early age. Others have far fewer opportunities.
The result can be a confidence gap that follows individuals into adulthood.
But being a confident speaker is not something reserved for a naturally outgoing personality.
Public speaking is a skill. And like any skill, it can be taught, practised and improved.
Through structured exercises, constructive feedback and repeated opportunities to speak, individuals can learn to organise their thoughts, manage their nerves, project their voice and engage an audience.
The transformation can be remarkable.
Someone who initially struggles to speak for thirty seconds in front of a group can, with the right guidance and encouragement, develop the confidence to deliver a compelling presentation.
The key is creating an environment in which people feel comfortable taking those first steps.
Why Speaking Matters More Than Ever
We live in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and digital communication.
Technology can now help us write emails, prepare presentations and organise complex information in seconds.
But the ability to stand in front of another person, communicate an idea with conviction, respond thoughtfully and establish a genuine human connection remains enormously valuable.
Effective communication involves far more than choosing the right words.
It requires listening, empathy, awareness, timing, expression and the confidence to respond in the moment.
These are skills that matter in the classroom, the workplace and everyday life.
And as technology continues to evolve, developing our ability to communicate meaningfully with one another deserves greater attention.
From the Classroom to the Real World
Having worked extensively in education, I've seen how powerful it can be when individuals discover the confidence to express themselves.
I've also seen how easily capable, thoughtful people can be held back by the fear of speaking in front of others.
Sometimes the biggest obstacle isn't knowing what to say. It's finding the confidence to say it.
This is why I believe public speaking should be approached as a practical, accessible skill rather than something reserved for formal speeches or special occasions.
A good public speaking course should not simply teach someone how to deliver a polished presentation.
It should help them become a more confident communicator in everyday situations.
That might mean learning how to structure an argument, use pauses effectively, speak with greater clarity, manage nervousness or engage an audience.
Above all, it should provide something that is often missing: the opportunity to practise speaking in a supportive environment.
A Welcome Conversation — But Practice Is What Matters
The Government's proposals are still developing, and important questions remain about how speaking and listening might be assessed fairly within GCSE qualifications.
Assessment alone, however, will not create confident communicators.
Genuine improvement requires time, purposeful teaching, opportunities to experiment and regular feedback.
It also requires us to recognise that confidence develops at different speeds.
For some people, speaking in front of a group comes relatively easily. For others, it represents a substantial personal challenge.
Both deserve the opportunity to improve.
And that opportunity should not end when someone leaves school.
Adults, too, can benefit enormously from developing their speaking skills, whether they are preparing for an interview, seeking career progression, returning to education or simply wanting to feel more confident in social and professional situations.
Everyone Deserves to Be Heard
Perhaps the most important message to emerge from this week's announcement is that confident communication should be an opportunity available to everyone.
You do not have to be naturally extroverted to become an effective speaker.
You do not need an impressive vocabulary, a particular accent or years of experience presenting to audiences.
You need the right techniques, encouragement and opportunities to practise.
And you need to recognise that your ideas deserve to be heard.
Because finding your voice is about more than public speaking. It's about developing the confidence to participate, contribute and make yourself understood.
That is a skill worth investing in — at any age.
Ready to Find Your Voice?
Whether you're preparing for an important presentation, looking to develop your professional communication skills or simply hoping to become a more confident speaker, our practical public speaking workshops offer a supportive environment in which to learn, practise and grow.
Great speakers aren't simply born. They develop through practice.
Explore our public speaking workshops and take the first step towards finding your voice.
Further reading: The Telegraph, 15 October 2026 — Speaking put on par with reading and writing in fresh curriculum overhaul. The Department for Education's official speech provides further details of the proposals.
