I CAN encourages classrooms to put down their pens and speak up

I CAN encourages classrooms to put down their pens and speak up for spoken language

On Wednesday 25th November 2020, children and young people throughout the country will put down their pens and take part in No Pens Day Wednesday; a nation-wide speaking and listening event organised by I CAN, the children’s communication charity.  

Thousands of schools and teaching professionals from across early years, special education, primary, secondary and further education settings have taken part in No Pens Day Wednesday since its launch in 2011, and I CAN want to increase the number of participants this year. 

No Pens Day Wednesday is an annual day of speaking and listening activities taking place in education settings across the country to raise awareness of communication as a key life skill. Currently, almost 10% of all children and young people in the UK – more than 1.4 million - have speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).   

By taking part in No Pens Day Wednesday, teaching professionals working across all phases of education can help:  

• Develop spoken language skills of pupils 
• Advance staff understanding of spoken language and embed it into the curriculum 
• Experience new teaching approaches and engage pupils in exciting ‘pens-free’ activities 
• Identify pupils requiring support to develop their speech, language and communication skills. 

Bob Reitemeier, CEO of I CAN, said: 

“Feedback from the schools, teachers and pupils we engage with often highlights how valuable the experience is for all involved. Developing speech, language and communication skills from the early years into later childhood and adolescence is vital and children must have the opportunity to practice and improve their spoken language skills. Focusing on talk in the classroom significantly enhances the way children respond to schooling across all subjects and that’s why we want education settings throughout the country to sign up to No Pens Day Wednesday and speak up for spoken language.” 

Teachers working across early years, primary, secondary, further and special education settings, can sign up here to access I CAN’s No Pens Day Wednesday resources.  These include lesson plans, top tips, posters, activity ideas, template press releases and a social media tool kit. 

Use the #NoPensDay hashtag and join the conversation online in the build up to November 25th.