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News and views

A group assembling for a picture in the drawing room

Oxford branch celebrates its centenary dinner

ESU Oxfordshire branch members gathered at Linacre College to mark 100 years since the first branch dinner

Teacher and students participating in oracy in action

Labour’s oracy pledge

As an education charity, the ESU welcomes the recognition of oracy as a crucial part of children’s education and an essential skill to thrive in adulthood.

A picture of a young female debater standing in front of a fireplace inside the ESU London's office building at Dartmouth House.

Oracy and Employability

Key employability skills are required to thrive in the workforce and having a solid foundation in oracy sets young people up for success.

The finalists of the ESU's Performing Shakespeare Competition 2023

Brilliant and inspiring!

Congratulations to all the finalists in our Performing Shakespeare Competition 2023

Oracy In Action kid smiling

‘We have definitely seen the positive impact’

Horton Park Primary reveals the impact of our Oracy in Action programme

A group of 3 students socialising while the 4th pupil is isolated from them

Children and young people struggle to make friends, survey results show

Children and young people aged 5-17 are struggling to make friends because they lack self-confidence in speaking to other children, a new survey shows

A pupil expressing himself during an activity while his peer listens to him

Oracy and metacognition

Find out how oracy can support the development of metacognitive skills - and vice versa!

Photograph of Miles Young, wearing a dark suit and smiling

‘Young people today are exposed to a tide of incivility – they need to be equipped with the skills to cope with it’

Meet Miles Young, the new Chair of the ESU

Jane Easton, Director-General of the ESU presents the trophy to Egsheglen Javkhlan from Mongolia, winner of the IPSC 2023

16 year old from Mongolia wins International Public Speaking Competition 2023

Sixteen-year-old Egsheglen Javkhlan from Mongolia has been named best speaker in the English-Speaking Union’s International Public Speaking Competition 2023

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