In an age of voice notes, podcasts, and TikTok monologues, it’s worth asking: is speaking becoming more important than writing? As we navigate a world increasingly driven by digital platforms, the prominence of spoken English is rising. It’s a phenomenon not necessarily at the expense of writing (you only have to look at the rise of BookTok to see how big an influence the written word still has), but it is changing the wider English language landscape in exciting and unexpected ways.
Intriguingly, this shift isn’t entirely new. After all, as a species we spoke long before we could write. And even once we started writing, we often did so for the purpose of speaking out loud. Today's school leaders should bear this in mind when thinking about how to put their English teaching resources together. That means using everything from Shakespeare’s plays, written just as Modern English was coming into its own, to speeches from the likes of Winston Churchill and Martin Luther King Jr, and even looking at how technology has previously changed, and continues to change spoken English.
The digital age is reviving the spoken word. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and even Zoom have placed voice — with all its rhythm, emphasis, and nuance — front and centre. Unlike written text, spoken content relies heavily on intonation, pace, gesture, and tone. A student scrolling through a 15-second reel may absorb more from how something is said than from the precise grammar used.
But they may also use terms and mannerisms that were simply non-existent a decade ago. Think about how young people often describing someone as having, ’main character energy’ if they’re really confident or how they might describe someone who’s changed their appearance for the better as having a ‘glow up’. Some have even gone as far as to argue that social media is driving a new inflexion point, not just in English but across languages in general.
This shift is influencing not just social habits but professional ones. In the workplace, clear, confident speaking has become essential, whether for pitching an idea in a video meeting or navigating a group discussion. Even the rise of voice assistants and AI tools reflects a broader cultural embrace of spoken interaction.
For educators, this raises important questions: Are we preparing students to thrive in a voice-first world? Are we equipping them not just to write fluently, but to speak flexibly, persuasively, and expressively?
As renowned linguist David Crystal has long argued, speech is the foundation of language. 'Writing,' he once noted, 'is speech written down.' As the digital world brings the spoken word into new spaces, from podcasts to live-streamed lessons, this principle feels more relevant than ever.
Crystal sees today’s spoken English as fast-evolving, interactive, and performative. Think of how people adapt their tone for vlogs, deliver punchlines in reels, or express emotion through voice notes. These speech patterns aren’t random; they’re structured, expressive, and deeply tied to social meaning.
While digital platforms influence how young people speak, teachers still play a crucial role in shaping how they learn to communicate. That’s why embracing speaking as a core skill, rather than a secondary one, is so vital. In fact, the classroom can become a space where students build confidence, experiment with tone and rhythm, and refine their spoken English in meaningful, lasting ways.
To meet today’s spoken-word culture, educators don’t need to invent entirely new materials. They can revisit familiar ones like Shakespeare with fresh eyes (and ears).
So many of English’s greatest touchstones weren’t written to sit silently on a page. They were designed to be spoken aloud, heard by a live audience, and remembered. Lines like 'brevity is the soul of wit' or 'all the world’s a stage' are as rhythmically tight as a modern slogan. The same is true of famous speeches, such as those delivered by Winston Churchill in World War II, or by Martin Luther King Jr during the Civil Rights struggle. We remember, 'We will fight them on the beaches' and, 'I have a dream' not just because they’re memorable lines. Their language pulses with performance: rhetorical flourishes, repetition, contrast, and cadence all serve to hook the ear and stir the emotions.
When school leaders equip teachers with an array of works through performance, rather than just analysis, they allow students to explore spoken English in action and to see that familiar elements can be found even in texts dating back centuries. Reading scenes aloud in groups, experimenting with delivery, or staging short-form performances can bring the language to life. It also shows students that mastering English-speaking skills isn’t about perfection. Expression, interpretation, and presence are all much more important factors.
So, how can school leaders equip their teachers to help students develop spoken fluency in ways that connect with today’s digital realities?
Here are a few practical approaches they can help implement:
By giving teachers the resources necessary to frame oral language as a dynamic, teachable skill, school leaders ultimately empower students to use English in ways that feel relevant, not just for exams, but for life beyond the classroom.
It’s time to reframe spoken-word materials not as a hurdle, but as a bridge. Plays, films, and speeches offer a vivid model of language that was crafted to speak, stir, and stay with us. That makes them surprisingly well-suited to a world where voice carries growing weight.
Spoken English is no longer confined to drama class or the odd oral presentation. It’s central to how young people learn, express, and connect in school, online, and beyond. By helping teachers embrace this shift and by using the full array of tools available to them, school leaders can help students find their voice in every sense.
Explore our speaking, listening and oracy-focused tools. Let’s make the spoken word a bigger part of language learning and set learners up for long-term success.
Is speaking becoming more important than writing in English?
While writing is still a critical communication skill, speaking is gaining new prominence in today’s digital world. Voice-driven platforms, real-time communication, and performance-based content have made spoken English a key skill for personal and professional interaction.
Why is spoken English more relevant today?
Because communication today often happens through voice notes, video calls, and live content, spoken English allows for greater immediacy, emotional connection, and adaptability than writing alone.
What can teachers learn from Shakespeare about spoken English?
Shakespeare wrote for the stage, not the page. His work offers powerful examples of rhythm, tone, and memorability, all valuable tools for helping students improve spoken English through performance and interpretation.
How can I help students build spoken English skills?
Use group readings, explore digital speech styles, and compare modern media to rhetorical tools in Shakespeare. Encourage speaking as a process of discovery, not just accuracy.
Is reading Shakespeare aloud helpful for language learning?
Absolutely. Performing or reading Shakespeare aloud helps students practise pronunciation, tone, and rhythm in a fun, expressive way. It boosts confidence and listening skills while deepening understanding of the language.