Let's Talk English
Let's talk about why we love it.
Let's talk about why it matters.
At its best, English unlocks knowledge, nurtures empathy and values diverse voices. But this vital subject is being challenged by pressures like never before – and it’s time for change.
It’s time for us to revive English and make it the engaging, innovative and inclusive subject it truly can be.
So let’s talk English…
Introducing the Let's Talk English mini-series!
Throughout 2025, we’ve hosted a dynamic series of English-focused conversations, including interactive forums and roundtable discussions. This autumn, we’re bringing everything together in a five-part mini series, each summarising the key insights and questions raised so far.
The first edition, now available, rounds up what we’ve heard on Oracy: putting speaking and listening at the heart of English. Sign up to stay up-to-date on the rest of the mini-series.
Oracy in English: The conversation so far...
Did you know, fewer than 1 in 10 secondary English teachers feel that GCSE English builds students' confidence in speaking and listening?
In this month's report, we explore how we can give speaking and listening the attention it deserves, including what's been working, what's missing and where we need to keep talking.
Upcoming events
With the Curriculum and Assessment Review due this autumn, we're hosting two online webinars where we'll discuss the findings and what they mean for English, schools, teachers and students, both in the short and long term. Our first webinar is now available to book and the details of the second event will be coming very soon!
What does the Curriculum and Assessment Review mean for English?
2 December 2025, 16:00-17:00
Join us on Tuesday 2nd December for a free webinar where we’ll delve into the Curriculum and Assessment Review findings and what they mean for English, schools, colleges and students. You’ll hear from 3 fantastic experts:
- Debra Myhill, Professor of Education at the University of Exeter - on what the findings mean for the subject of English.
- Chris Curtis, Secondary English teacher, blogger and author - on what the findings mean for the English classroom.
- Yamina Bibi, Author, experienced senior leader, coach and consultant - on what the findings mean for students of English.
Our conversations so far
Since March, we’ve brought together thousands of voices from across education — classroom teachers, curriculum leaders, students and sector experts — to explore bold questions about the future of English. Below is a snapshot of our activity to date and you can read a summary of these conversations in our bi-monthly blog series.
Research with over 800 secondary English teachers, 1000 college students and 1000 college tutors
10 in-person and virtual Let's Talk English forums attended by 30 sector representatives and over 60 teachers.
Attendance at key industry events including PiXL English, NATE, the Speaking Summit and English: Shared Futures.
The first of our in-person regional events with teachers from 11 schools represented, and a dedicated student panel.
Secondary teachers on GCSE English...
Does the current subject content for GCSE English give schools and students what they need? Over 800 secondary English teachers told us their honest thoughts. Their answers suggest that it’s time for urgent reform in GCSE English.
Only a fifth
of all secondary English teachers (20%) say GCSE English is enjoyable to teach.
More than two-thirds
of all teachers (68%) say current English GCSE assessments don’t fully capture skills.
Over half
of all teachers (53%) say GCSE English doesn’t prepare students for post-16 study.
Let's Talk English voices
Let’s Talk English is all about reimagining what English means for today’s learners and exploring what the subject could (and should) look like in classrooms across the country.
In our new series of videos and blogs, we’re bringing together English practitioners, sector leaders, students and influencers to share their views on the future of English, and how we can make it the engaging, innovative subject it truly can be.
Geoff Barton, Chair of the Oracy Education Commission
Talk is not just an academic skill, it is a life skill. In this video, Geoff Barton explains why teaching young people to go out into the world as confident communicators has never matter more.
Neil Mercer, Professor of Education at University of Cambridge
The ability to use spoken language to get things done is something that is increasingly important in all walks of life. In this video, Neil Mercer shared why schools should treat oracy as very important when they're helping people prepare for their futures.
Russell Findlay, CEO of Speakers Trust
In this video, Russell Findlay shares how the lack of speaking and listening within GCSE English is a real missed opportunity because it can bring the subject alive for so many young people. He shares why oracy is important for students' futures and his priorities for GCSE English reform.
Tom F. Wright, Head of English at University of Sussex
In this video, Tom shares how there is a crisis in communication skills in British life and the impact this could have on students' futures. He also argues that we need to inject some of the joy back into GCSE English to make it a subject that inspires students.
Anthony Cockerill, Director of the National Association of the Teaching of English
What students read should reflect different identities, backgrounds and worldviews — and the curriculum should embrace real-world communication, from media and drama to spoken language. That’s exactly what Anthony is calling for.
Leandri Dannhauser, Network Lead Advisor for English at Ark
The current GCSE English specification isn’t bringing students joy — and may even be putting students off studying the subject beyond school. Leandri believes that the answer lies in creating opportunities for every student to shine.
Thomas Karshan, Associate Professor of Literature at UEA
What if GCSE English gave more space to creativity? Thomas Karshan, Associate Professor of Literature at UEA, believes students should be encouraged to rewrite and reimagine the texts they study — not just analyse them.
Eva McManamon, Senior Strategy Manager for English at Pearson
How can we make GCSE English more enjoyable? In this video, Eva McManamon, Senior Strategy Manager for English at Pearson, shares her thoughts on this and our priorities for shaping the future of the subject.
Creativity in the English classroom
Matt Bromley, Chair of Building Equity in Education
What is the Let's Talk English campaign?
The Let's Talk English campaign is all about reimagining the future of GCSE English. Throughout 2025, we've hosted a dynamic series of English-focused conversations, including interactive forums and roundtable discussions, focusing on the five areas below.
This autumn, we'll be sharing reports with the key findings from each of these conversations, and will be giving you even more opportunities to have your say and help shape the future of English. Make sure you sign up to stay-up-to-date.
What do you believe English should be?
We want you – young people, teachers, leaders, families, English enthusiasts and communities – to be part of this urgent and groundbreaking conversation.
Join us in a dynamic series of English-focused activities, including the sharing of expert-led content and resources, interactive forums and roundtable discussions.
Together, we can revive English and make it the engaging, innovative and inclusive subject it truly can be; an English that works in every classroom, for every learner.
Support and resources
Explore our support and resources which can help you to enact positive change in the English classroom, starting from today.
The Resit Rethink
Lit in Colour Pioneers Programme
