Chris Quigley's Oracy Framework for EYFS to KS3
Tongue Fu Talking® is a progression-based oracy framework for schools. It helps pupils develop confidence in speaking and listening through structured oracy practices, curriculum-based classroom talk strategies, and ready-to-use oracy resources.
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What is Oracy?
Oracy is the disciplined art of speaking and listening, where thinking, language, expression, and collaboration come together to shape understanding and communication. It includes both verbal and non-verbal elements and spans a variety of interactions, from formal presentations to collaborative classroom discussions.
In schools, oracy practice takes many forms, including:
- curriculum-based debates that develop reasoning and subject knowledge
- collaborative discussions that build confidence in speaking and listening
- metacognitive talk strategies such as prediction, questioning, and reflection
- structured presentations that teach pupils to speak with clarity and confidence
To Learn more...
Read: Complete Guide to Teaching Oracy from EYFS to KS3
Read: Why Oracy Matters
Read: Oracy is not a Subject, but Every Subject Requires it
Read: Curriculum-Based Debates: A Powerful Classroom Talk Strategy
Read: Top 10 Classroom Talk Strategies to Develop Oracy Skills with Tongue Fu Talking®
Read: Why Opportunities For Talk Are Insufficient To Develop Oracy Skills
Read: Inclusive Oracy: How Tongue Fu Talking® Scaffolds Every Student
Read: Practical Oracy Activities for Every Key Stage: From Sentence Stems to Structured Debates
Read: Oracy for More Able Pupils: Why Structured Talk Still Matters
What is Tongue Fu Talking®?
Developed by Chris Quigley Education, Tongue Fu Talking® is a fully resourced, structured, and progression-based oracy framework for schools. It embeds oracy into every curriculum subject, giving teachers practical tools to teach speaking and listening with the same rigour as reading, writing, and mathematics.
The name comes from kung fu—not because it is about fighting, but because kung fu means a disciplined pursuit of mastery through dedicated practice. In the same way that martial artists refine their movements, control, and focus, Tongue Fu Talking® helps pupils master the disciplined art of spoken communication.
How Tongue Fu Talking® builds oracy skills in every classroom:
- Progressive belt system (White to Black) for EYFS to KS3
- Two modes of talk: Explorer Mode (reasoning and discovery) and Presenter Mode (clarity and confidence)
- Four oracy disciplines: The Stance, The Flow, The Mind, and The Bond
- 23 teachable oracy practices with ready-to-use classroom strategies
- Built-in assessment tools to track oracy progress
- Positions oracy as the fourth ‘R’, taught with the same rigour as reading, writing, and arithmetic
What's included?
Your one-year subscription includes:
Leader Resources:
- Tongue Fu Talking® Oracy Framework with detailed guidance for each aspect
- Oracy Audit Materials
- Whole School Oracy Policy
- Parent Information Sheet
- Oracy CPD Videos: Training for all your staff, available throughout your subscription
Teacher Resources:
- Debating Guidebook - develop oracy through curriculum-based debates
- 120 curriculum-based debates for each belt (480 Debates with worked examples in total!)
- Metacognition Guidebook - develop oracy through metacognitive strategies
- Sentence Stems for Metacognitive Strategies - Predictions, Questioning, Visualising & Reflecting
- Presenting Guidebook - develop confident speakers with these oracy guides
- Printable Presenter wheels for the four belts - pupil-friendly oracy skills wheels
- 282 Because - So - But Discussions for all aspects of KS1-KS3 Science
- 20 Classroom Talk Strategies Guidebook with examples from EYFS to KS3
- Assessment Materials - help students self-assess their oracy skills
COMING SOON:
- Games to Introduce the Oracy Disciplines
- Gestures Cards
- Pacing Guides
- Rhetorical Devices
- Facial Expression Guides
- Code Shifting Guides (for Register and Tone)
- Discussions when pupils have limited prior knowledge: practical strategies
- A Year of Oracy Activities
- Vocabulary Spines AND MORE
Part of Chris Quigley Education
A Structured Approach to Oracy Development
Why Schools Need a Structured Oracy Framework
Without a clear framework, classroom talk can easily become unfocused. Some pupils speak a lot while others stay quiet, discussions drift without direction, and opportunities to practise reasoning or presentation are lost. Research and inspection evidence show that oracy must be taught systematically, with structure and progression.
Tongue Fu Talking® is a framework that develops oracy through two distinct modes of talk—Explorer and Presenter—applied across four key disciplines. This framework ensures that every aspect of spoken communication is taught with clarity and progression.
What This Means in Oracy Teaching:
- Explorer Mode: collaborative talk where students reason together, test ideas, and build shared understanding.
- Presenter Mode: structured talk where students speak with confidence and style to inform, explain, or inspire an audience across the curriculum.
Two Modes of Speaking: Explorer and Presenter
Explorer Mode, for thinking together; Presenter Mode, for speaking to an audience
Explorer Mode
Presenter Mode
Four Disciplines to Master
Each discipline focuses on a different element of communication, ensuring pupils speak and listen effectively.
The Stance
The Flow
The Mind
The Bond
Four Grade Belts
Mirroring martial arts grading, the four tier progression system moves from White to Black Belt.
White Belt
Green Belt
Brown Belt
Black Belt
Tongue Fu Talking® At a Glance
- Two modes of talk: Explorer Mode for collaborative reasoning, and Presenter Mode for confident, purposeful speaking.
- Four disciplines of oracy: The Stance, The Flow, The Mind, and The Bond — covering the physical, linguistic, cognitive, and social dimensions of communication.
- Four progression belts: a step-by-step oracy framework from EYFS to KS3, ensuring systematic development across key stages.
- 23 teachable oracy practices: practical oracy resources and classroom talk strategies that give teachers clear, teachable steps towards mastery in each discipline.
23 Teachable Oracy Practices
Access fully resourced, teachable oracy practices for every belt level – including modelled debates, presentation tips, sentence stems, teachers guidebooks and more.
The Stance
The Stance discipline develops the physical aspects of oracy—how students use their voice and body to support confident, effective speaking. Its practices focus on:
- Pacing: adjusting the speed of speech so ideas are clear and engaging.
- Tone: using vocal variety to show meaning, mood, or emphasis.
- Pronunciation: articulating words accurately for clarity and understanding.
- Projection: controlling volume so speech carries across a classroom or hall.
- Gestures and Posture: using body language to reinforce meaning and presence.
- Eyes and Face: maintaining eye contact and expression to connect with an audience.
Tongue Fu Talking® provides a range of classroom resources with practical, teachable activities that help teachers develop each of these oracy practices step by step.
The Flow
The Flow discipline develops students’ ability to use language with clarity, precision, and impact. Its practices focus on:
- Vocabulary: choosing subject-specific and expressive words to strengthen meaning.
- Register: selecting the right level of formality for different audiences and contexts.
- Grammatical Awareness: using grammar deliberately to construct accurate and effective sentences.
- Sentence Structure: varying sentences to organise ideas, add emphasis, and maintain interest.
- Rhetorical Flair: employing techniques such as repetition, contrast, or questions to persuade and engage.
Tongue Fu Talking® provides oracy resources with practical classroom activities that help teachers develop each of these language practices step by step.
The Mind
The Mind discipline supports the thinking that shapes effective speech, helping students to organise, justify, and reflect on what they say. Its practices focus on:
- Content and Purpose: selecting knowledge and ideas that are relevant to the task and audience.
- Metacognition: monitoring and adjusting thinking while speaking to improve clarity and impact.
- Reasoning with Justification: giving evidence, examples, or logical steps to support a point of view.
- Summarising: distilling key points to aid understanding and retention.
- Structure: organising talk into a clear sequence so ideas build logically.
- Focus: maintaining attention on the purpose of talk and avoiding unnecessary digressions.
Tongue Fu Talking® provides oracy resources with practical classroom activities that help teachers develop each of these thinking practices step by step.
The Bond
The Bond discipline develops the social and emotional dimension of talk, enabling students to connect with others and build confidence in communication. Its practices focus on:
- Managing Interactions: guiding discussions so all voices are included and respected.
- Turn-Taking and Active Listening: balancing contributions and showing genuine attention to others.
- Audience Awareness: adapting talk to suit the needs, knowledge, and responses of listeners.
- Self-Assurance and Resilience: speaking with confidence and recovering positively from mistakes or setbacks.
- Liveliness and Engagement: using energy and enthusiasm to sustain attention and interest.
- Encouragement and Collaboration: supporting peers and working together to achieve shared goals.
Tongue Fu Talking® provides oracy resources with practical classroom activities that help teachers develop each of these social and emotional practices step by step.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tongue Fu Talking®
Find out what people are asking us.
What is Tongue Fu Talking®?
Tongue Fu Talking® is a structured oracy framework for schools. It develops pupils’ speaking and listening skills through two modes of talk, four disciplines, and 23 teachable practices, supported by classroom resources.
What are the two modes of talk?
The framework uses Explorer Mode for collaborative reasoning and discovery, and Presenter Mode for confident, purposeful speaking to an audience.
What are the four disciplines of oracy?
The disciplines are The Stance (physical aspects of speech), The Flow (language use), The Mind (thinking that shapes talk), and The Bond (social and emotional dimensions of communication).
Which age groups is it designed for?
Tongue Fu Talking® is progressive across four belts, supporting pupils from EYFS through KS1, KS2, and into KS3.
What resources are included with a subscription?
Schools gain access to a complete set of oracy teaching resources: classroom talk strategies, practical activities, planning guidance, and assessment materials.
How is pricing structured?
Subscriptions are based on the number of pupils on roll, giving affordable options for small, medium, and large schools. Access lasts 12 months and is renewable annually.
Sample Resources
Subscription Options for Schools
Our subscription bands are designed to give every school access to the full range of Tongue Fu Talking® oracy resources. Pricing is based on your current pupil roll, ensuring affordable access for small, medium, and large schools alike. Each subscription provides 12 months of unlimited use of our structured oracy framework, classroom talk strategies, and teaching materials, renewable annually. Prices are listed exclusive of VAT.