View in EDS HTML Full Text PDF Full Text

Is it only words?

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Is it only words?
Authors: Mercer, Neil (AUTHOR)
Source: Psychologist. Apr2026, p26-29. 4p. 3 Color Photographs.
Subjects: Oral communication, Cognitive development, Learning, Academic achievement, Group problem solving, Teacher training, Curriculum
Abstract: The article focuses on the importance of oracy—the ability to articulate ideas, develop understanding, and engage with others through spoken language—in education. It highlights research demonstrating that spoken language is crucial for cognitive development, collaborative problem-solving, and academic attainment, yet remains undervalued compared to literacy and numeracy in many education systems. Studies show that teaching students how to engage in reasoned, exploratory talk improves both individual reasoning skills and group collaboration. The article also addresses misconceptions about oracy, emphasizing that promoting spoken language skills does not require abandoning regional dialects or identities. Recent policy developments in the UK and other countries reflect growing recognition of oracy as a core educational priority, with calls for its integration into teacher training and curricula. [Extracted from the article]
Copyright of Psychologist is the property of British Psychological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Full text is not displayed to guests.
FullText Links:
  – Type: pdflink
Text:
  Availability: 1
Header DbId: pbh
DbLabel: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
An: 192460459
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Periodical
PubTypeId: serialPeriodical
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Is it only words?
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mercer%2C+Neil%22">Mercer, Neil</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Psychologist%22">Psychologist</searchLink>. Apr2026, p26-29. 4p. 3 Color Photographs.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subjects
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Oral+communication%22">Oral communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+development%22">Cognitive development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning%22">Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+achievement%22">Academic achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Group+problem+solving%22">Group problem solving</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+training%22">Teacher training</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Curriculum%22">Curriculum</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: The article focuses on the importance of oracy—the ability to articulate ideas, develop understanding, and engage with others through spoken language—in education. It highlights research demonstrating that spoken language is crucial for cognitive development, collaborative problem-solving, and academic attainment, yet remains undervalued compared to literacy and numeracy in many education systems. Studies show that teaching students how to engage in reasoned, exploratory talk improves both individual reasoning skills and group collaboration. The article also addresses misconceptions about oracy, emphasizing that promoting spoken language skills does not require abandoning regional dialects or identities. Recent policy developments in the UK and other countries reflect growing recognition of oracy as a core educational priority, with calls for its integration into teacher training and curricula. [Extracted from the article]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Psychologist is the property of British Psychological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=192460459
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 4
        StartPage: 26
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Oral communication
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cognitive development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic achievement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Group problem solving
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher training
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Curriculum
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Is it only words?
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Mercer, Neil
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 04
              Text: Apr2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 09528229
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Psychologist
              Type: main
ResultId 1