Bilingual Hub - Leading partnerships in language teaching

Celebrating Collaboration: A Powerful Bilingual Meeting Focused on Oracy

We were delighted to welcome colleagues from Hotham, Glendower Prep and Hornsby House, alongside a representative from le projet d’école bilingue, to our recent bilingual network meeting.There was an immediate sense of energy in the room—professionals united by a shared passion for language learning and a commitment to giving pupils the confidence to express themselves with clarity and purpose.

The session was rich with meaningful dialogue, as we explored effective pedagogical approaches that support bilingualism across our schools. A key focus of our discussion was oracy. Together, we reflected on how we can intentionally build speaking and listening opportunities throughout the school day—not just in language lessons, but across the wider curriculum. Ideas ranged from structured talk protocols and sentence stems to the use of drama, debate and pupil-led presentations. There was a strong sense that oracy is not an ‘add-on’, but a fundamental skill that empowers pupils academically and socially.

We also considered how school environments can promote high-quality talk. From the language we model as adults to the spaces we create for discussion, it was inspiring to hear how each school is embedding a culture where every voice is valued.

Beyond the professional learning, what made the meeting particularly special was the spirit of collaboration. There was a genuine willingness to learn from one another, challenge thinking and take away practical strategies to trial in our own settings.

As we continue to grow this network, we are excited about the potential to deepen our work together—sharing resources, visiting each other’s schools and continuing to refine our approaches to bilingual education and oracy.

A huge thank you to our colleagues from Hotham, Glendower Prep and Hornsby House for their contributions. Together, we are building something truly impactful for our pupils.

We look forward to the next meeting!

Celebrating Collaboration: A Powerful Bilingual Meeting Focused on Oracy

We were delighted to welcome colleagues from Hotham, Glendower Prep and Hornsby House, alongside a representative from le projet d’école bilingue, to our recent bilingual network meeting.There was an immediate sense of energy in the room—professionals united by a shared passion for language learning and a commitment to giving pupils the confidence to express themselves with clarity and purpose.

The session was rich with meaningful dialogue, as we explored effective pedagogical approaches that support bilingualism across our schools. A key focus of our discussion was oracy. Together, we reflected on how we can intentionally build speaking and listening opportunities throughout the school day—not just in language lessons, but across the wider curriculum. Ideas ranged from structured talk protocols and sentence stems to the use of drama, debate and pupil-led presentations. There was a strong sense that oracy is not an ‘add-on’, but a fundamental skill that empowers pupils academically and socially.

We also considered how school environments can promote high-quality talk. From the language we model as adults to the spaces we create for discussion, it was inspiring to hear how each school is embedding a culture where every voice is valued.

Beyond the professional learning, what made the meeting particularly special was the spirit of collaboration. There was a genuine willingness to learn from one another, challenge thinking and take away practical strategies to trial in our own settings.

As we continue to grow this network, we are excited about the potential to deepen our work together—sharing resources, visiting each other’s schools and continuing to refine our approaches to bilingual education and oracy.

A huge thank you to our colleagues from Hotham, Glendower Prep and Hornsby House for their contributions. Together, we are building something truly impactful for our pupils.

We look forward to the next meeting!