Oral Communication in Schools
This syllabus is designed to be used by classroom teachers when they are teaching oral skills.
Oral Communication in Schools
This syllabus encourages students to use creative speaking skills in a variety of contexts. It covers talks, poetry, reading, storytelling, and drama. Students develop important skills working co-operatively with other students. This syllabus is designed to be used by classroom teachers when they are teaching oral skills. Students gain confidence and a sense of achievement. Speech NZ has a teaching manual that may be purchased to help classroom teachers with preparing students for these assessments.
Learn more about the benefits and features
Learn more about the benefits and features of the Speech NZ Oral Communication syllabus through interviews with three staff at Wellesley School in Eastbourne. Veronica Stevens (Deputy Principal), Carolyn Currington (Yr3) and Bryn Rees (Yr 6) explain the skills developed through the syllabus, how the students and parents react, and give details on how the programme fits into their classroom teaching. Watch our YouTube clip showing you how to prepare for Oral communication assessments, students undertaking assessments and teachers and parents discussing the value of the programme.
FAQs
Oral Communication in Schools
How to enter students
Speech NZ organises Oral assessments “on-demand” throughout the year.
Entries must be done via our online entry form four weeks in advance of the required assessment date.
Please click “on-demand” for exam type.
Payment of Fees
Speech NZ will send an invoice within a few days of entry submission.
Oral Assessment fees can be found here.
A badge/bar is included in the entry fee. A certificate can be ordered at an additional cost.
Assessors
Speech NZ sends an Assessor to a school when there is a minimum number of students to be assessed.
7 at Preliminary or Introductory level
6 at Elementary or Junior level
4 at Intermediate or Senior level.
When a school is not able to meet the minimum required numbers, or when the assessor is required to travel more than 60km to get to the school, National Office will assess this on a case-by-case basis. Often, in this situation, students can be entered as part of a Centre Tour. Please see our online schedule for Tour availability in your area.
Confirmation
Once you have submitted your entries online, the National Office will be in touch via email to confirm arrangements, and supply you with the following:
Timetable template (on request)
Oral Assessment Feedback form
Assessor details
Request for stable Wi-Fi (if needed by Assessor)
Report forms headed with each students name and level in timetable order, (Minimum of one week before assessment date).
Please note: Some Assessors are now typing reports online which means reports will be automatically emailed to you once finalised by the Assessor.
School/Teacher in charge responsibilities
Please provide the following:
A suitable venue, large enough for group work and well lit.
A stable Wi-Fi connection & password for the Assessor to use. (if requested)
A desk and comfortable chair for the Assessor.
A clearly visible name tag for each student.
A supervisor who is present in the room while the assessments take place. (An audience, possibly of other students is expected).
Two printed copies of a timetable that clearly states the exam date, students full name and assessment level and has room for the result to be recorded beside each name. (Syllabus time limits must be observed when creating the timetable).
A copy of the timetable via email to the National Office two weeks prior to the assessment date.
On completion of assessments the teacher in charge needs to scan & email copies of the following to examadmin@speechnz.co.nz
Results timetable
Examiners Report to School
3 random student report samples
When National Office has received the results timetable they will be able to enter student results in the data base and then supply badges/bars & certificates as required. Please also remember to fill out the School Evaluation Form emailed to you by the National Office
Student Speak Resource
The Student Speak teaching resource is available to support the Oral Communication syllabus and the teaching of oral communication in schools. This practical guide for teachers in the planning and implementing of the Oral Communication Programme contains curriculum links, learning outcomes, teaching points and suggested learning activities.
The resource is available from the National Office. Price $220.00 which includes postage and packaging.
