In a bold move to address a crucial aspect of education, Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party in the UK, has emphasised the significance of speaking skills in children’s lives. Recognising that poor speaking abilities can hinder career prospects, interpersonal relationships, and societal participation, Starmer has pledged to prioritize oracy in Labour’s education reform agenda. His commitment includes the introduction of a new national curriculum focused on enhancing children’s vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, listening skills, and active participation in discussions.  Let’s discuss the significance of speaking skills, why they should be included in education, and the potential effects of Starmer’s proposed reforms.

Why Speaking Skills Matter

Sir Keir Starmer rightly acknowledges that speaking skills go beyond mere presentation abilities. The capacity to express oneself clearly, confidently, and persuasively is an essential skill that enables individuals to thrive in various scenarios, including job interviews, social interactions, and day-to-day communication. Articulating thoughts fluently is not only a means of self-expression but also a critical aspect of personal and professional development.

The Neglected Skillset

Despite the undeniable significance of speaking skills, they are often overlooked in traditional classroom settings. Curriculum focuses primarily on written communication, leaving oral expression as an underdeveloped area. This neglect can lead to a lack of confidence, limited opportunities for collaboration, and an inability to effectively engage in conversations. By prioritizing speaking skills, Starmer aims to bridge this gap and provide all children with equal opportunities to develop their oratory abilities.

The Proposed Reforms

Sir Keir Starmer’s proposal includes the introduction of a new national curriculum for speaking and listening. This curriculum will address key aspects necessary for effective oral communication, such as vocabulary enrichment, grammar proficiency, pronunciation clarity, and active listening skills. By integrating these elements into the core curriculum, Labour’s education reforms strive to equip students with the necessary tools to succeed not only academically but also in their future endeavours.

Expert Support

Education experts have welcomed Starmer’s emphasis on speaking skills. They recognize that strong oracy skills empower children to excel in multiple facets of life. The ability to express oneself fluently and confidently opens doors to employment opportunities, fosters meaningful relationships, and enhances overall social participation. By acknowledging the importance of speaking skills, Starmer aligns with the expert consensus and highlights an area that requires attention and improvement.

Sir Keir Starmer’s commitment to putting speaking skills at the heart of education reform reflects a much-needed shift in focus within the education system. By introducing a new national curriculum for speaking and listening, Labour aims to ensure that all children have equal access to the development of these crucial skills. As speaking skills become embedded in the core curriculum, children will be better prepared to communicate effectively, thrive in their personal and professional lives, and contribute actively to society. Sir Keir Starmer’s vision for education reform offers a promising step towards equipping the next generation with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.

The Mission of Sound Branch is to empower individuals with an equal voice and make podcasting accessible to everyone.

We believe that everyone has unique stories, perspectives, and experiences to share, and we aim to provide a platform that enables individuals to express themselves and connect with others through the power of audio.

Our mission is rooted in the belief that communication should be inclusive and democratic. We understand that traditional media channels can be exclusive and often favour those with established platforms or connections.

At Sound Branch, we strive to break down these barriers and create a level playing field where anyone, regardless of their background, can participate in podcasting.

By offering user-friendly tools, resources, and support, we aim to remove the technical complexities that can hinder individuals from starting their own podcasts. We provide a platform that is intuitive, accessible and encourages creativity. Whether you are an experienced podcaster or just getting started, Sound Branch is designed to be a welcoming space that encourages exploration, collaboration, and learning.

Additionally, we foster a vibrant and diverse community where podcasters can connect, engage, and support one another. We understand the power of community and the value of collective wisdom. By facilitating meaningful interactions and fostering collaboration, we aim to create a network of podcasters who uplift each other, share knowledge, and amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard.

At Sound Branch, we are passionate about giving everyone an equal opportunity to express themselves, share their stories, and be heard.

We believe that the democratization of podcasting is not only a technological endeavour but also a social one.

Through our mission, we hope to inspire a global wave of diverse voices, fostering understanding, empathy, and connection among individuals from all walks of life.

Miscommunication is a common problem in many organizations, and it can stem from a lack of effective listening at all levels of the company hierarchy. When management fails to listen to all their staff, it can result in a range of issues, including low employee morale, decreased productivity, and higher turnover rates.

One of the main problems with management not listening to all their staff is that it can lead to a feeling of unappreciation among employees. When employees feel their opinions are not valued or heard, it can result in a lack of motivation and a decreased sense of loyalty to the organization. This can then lead to lower productivity levels and ultimately affect the bottom line of the business.

Furthermore, miscommunication can also occur when feedback is not accurately communicated through company hierarchies. If feedback is not relayed from the lower levels of the organization to upper management, important issues may not be addressed, and the organization may miss out on valuable opportunities to improve its operations. This can result in a lack of innovation and stunted growth for the business.

A study conducted by Harvard Business Review found that employees who felt their voice was heard at work were 4.6 times more likely to feel empowered to perform their best work. In contrast, employees who felt their voice wasn’t heard were 2.6 times more likely to say they had been disengaged at work.

“Management that fails to listen to its employees is like a ship that sails without a compass. It may stay afloat for a while, but eventually, it will veer off course and end up lost at sea.”

As the world continues to shift towards hybrid and remote work, it is becoming increasingly important for employers to stay connected with their employees in meaningful ways. One way to achieve this is by using Sound Branch, a platform that allows for easy communication through voice notes.

When it comes to remote work, communication can often be a challenge. Written messages and emails can sometimes be misinterpreted, leading to confusion and frustration. But with Sound Branch, remote workers can communicate with each other in a more personal and engaging way, using voice notes to convey their thoughts, feelings, and ideas.

Not only does this foster a sense of connection and community among remote workers, but it also helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to projects and goals. By listening to voice notes from colleagues, remote workers can get a better sense of their coworkers’ perspectives and insights, leading to more effective collaboration and better outcomes.

Sound Branch is especially useful for employers who are looking to connect with their remote workers at scale. By creating a podcast site on Sound Branch, employers can crowdsource voice notes from employees and listen to them on demand. This allows for easy and efficient communication with large groups of employees, regardless of their location.

The platform helps flatten hierarchies within organizations by enabling managers and co-workers to better understand what is happening not just within their own team, but also in other teams, and how their work and issues may impact one another. By providing a centralized platform for communication, Sound Branch helps to break down silos and foster a culture of collaboration and transparency.

With Sound Branch, managers and employees can share updates, ask questions, and provide feedback in real-time. This means that everyone has access to the same information, regardless of their position in the organization, and can make more informed decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of the situation.

Additionally, Sound Branch can help to improve accountability and reduce miscommunications by providing a clear record of all conversations and actions taken. This can help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that issues are addressed promptly and effectively.

In recent years, loneliness in the workplace has become an increasingly prevalent issue. With remote work and flexible schedules becoming more common, many employees may feel disconnected from their colleagues and struggle to build meaningful relationships with others in the organization. This can have negative consequences not just for the individual employee but also for the overall culture and productivity of the workplace. Sound Branch can help combat loneliness and build community in the workplace by providing a platform for employees to connect and communicate with one another.

It’s not just about listening to your staff – it’s about really understanding the message sentiment and the meaning behind the message. Effective communication is not just about the transmission of information; it’s also about understanding the context, emotions, and underlying meaning of what is being communicated. When managers listen to their staff without taking the time to truly understand the message, they risk missing critical information and creating misunderstandings that can lead to disengagement and reduced productivity.

Moreover, it’s important for managers to create a culture of open and honest communication in which employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings. This can be achieved through regular check-ins, one-on-one meetings, and other opportunities for feedback and dialogue. When employees feel heard and understood, they are more likely to be engaged, committed, and motivated, which can ultimately lead to improved performance and business outcomes.

So if you’re looking to improve communication and foster a sense of community among your remote workers, consider using Sound Branch. With its easy-to-use platform and emphasis on voice communication, it’s a great way to stay connected with your team and achieve better results.

To get started listening to your employees at scale:
Create a Podcast Site

Podcasts have become a popular medium for people to consume audio content on the go, whether it’s during their daily commute while working out or doing chores. While traditional podcasts typically have a set length and format, a new podcast format called Sound Branch is shaking things up with its branching timeline of voice notes that allows for never-ending conversation and engagement.

So what are the benefits and advantages of Sound Branch, and why should you consider using it as a listener or creator? Let’s explore.

1. Never-ending conversation: Sound Branch allows for a branching timeline of voice notes, which means that conversations can continue indefinitely. Listeners can reply to any voice note, and the conversation can continue to grow and evolve in new directions. This creates a more dynamic and engaging listening experience that keeps you hooked and coming back for more.
2. Interactive and engaging: With Sound Branch, listeners can actively participate in the conversation by leaving their own voice notes and engaging with others. This creates a more interactive and engaging experience that fosters community building and connection. As a creator, you can use this feature to engage with your audience and create a more personal connection with them.
3. Versatile format: Unlike traditional podcasts that have a set length and format, Sound Branch allows for more flexibility in the format and structure of the podcast. Creators can experiment with different formats, such as interviews, panel discussions, or solo monologues. This allows for more creativity and experimentation, which can lead to more interesting and engaging content.
4. Easy to use: Sound Branch is designed to be user-friendly and easy to use for both listeners and creators. The app has a simple interface that allows you to browse and search for podcasts, leave voice notes, and reply to others. As a creator, you can easily record and upload your voice notes, and manage your podcast from your dashboard.
5. Innovative technology: Sound Branch uses innovative technology that allows for seamless integration between voice notes, creating a smooth and natural listening experience. The app also uses machine learning algorithms to recommend relevant podcasts to listeners based on their interests and listening history.

Sound Branch is a new podcast format that offers a more dynamic and engaging listening experience. With its branching timeline of voice notes, interactive and engaging features, versatile format, user-friendly interface, and innovative technology, Sound Branch is poised to disrupt the traditional podcasting industry and usher in a new era of audio content creation and consumption. As a listener or creator, you won’t want to miss out on this exciting new platform.

Get Started and Try Sound Branch as a User

Create Sound Branch Podcast Site for your Team

Audio broadcasting has been around for decades, but the first podcast – an audio programme, usually part of a series, available to listen to or download over the internet – dates back to 2004. There are now thousands of podcasts available on every topic imaginable, from health and well-being to true crime, comedy and politics

As well as becoming one of the fastest-growing forms of digital entertainment, podcasts have also carved a niche for themselves as business marketing tools. So what are the benefits of podcasting for business, and how do you go about using podcasting to market your business? 

While we all watch videos or read blog posts, podcasts are often a much easier way of accessing information. After all, you can download podcasts to listen to offline, whenever and wherever you want – on your commute, at the gym, while you cook dinner or even in the bath!  As a result – and because we often listen to them through headphones – podcasts feel much more personal and intimate than other forms of digital media. This means there’s an instant connection between the presenter and the listener. Deliver interesting, engaging content week after week and your listeners will stay loyal to you. Podcasting is a unique opportunity for you to promote your brand, raise your profile, share your knowledge and develop long term relationships with prospective customers and influencers all around the world.

So how do you start a podcast for your business? There are four key steps.

Identify your audience and decide on the style and content

Who is your ideal listener? Once you know who your podcast is for, you can tailor the style and content to suit them. How many presenters will you have? Formal or informal? Will each episode focus on one key topic or will it be more magazine-like, with tips, Q&As and guest interviewees? Do you have existing content you can repurpose? 

Record and edit your podcast

You probably have everything you need to record your podcast in your pocket – a smartphone! You can record your podcast directly to your phone’s voice memo app, export it and edit it using software like Audacity. However, editing takes a long time, so perhaps the easiest way is to use an app like Sound Branch, which enables you to record your podcast in short segments, delete and re-record any sections, and drag and drop them into a playlist ready to export. 

Publish and distribute your podcast

We listen to podcasts through Apple, Google and Spotify, but how do you get yours out there? Your podcast needs to be uploaded to a podcast hosting platform, who will publish it online and also distribute it to all the major podcasting directories. If you use the Sound Branch app, your podcast can be pushed out to Spotify, iTunes, and a whole host of other podcasting sites quickly and easily. 

Promote your podcast

Publishing your podcast is only the start: you now need to find an audience for it. Here are a few tips to make sure your podcast reaches the right listeners:

• Choose a strong title and create eye-catching imagery to make your podcast stand out 
• Stick to a regular schedule so listeners know when to expect new episodes
• Create engaging, interesting content to keep people coming back
• Share your podcast in your newsletter, on social media and by word of mouth
• Create a community of listeners you engage with and encourage them to tell their friends
• Invite guest speakers and ask them to promote the podcast to their followers 

So now you know why podcasting is such a valuable marketing tool for your business, what are you waiting for?

Download Sound Branch and you could have your first podcast ready to go in just a few minutes!

Today, 24% of Americans listen to podcasts on a monthly basis. That’s about 67M people. If you are in the kitchen or traveling to work by car or train, consuming audio is attractive for entertainment and for education.

Now, not everyone likes the sound of their own voice. Some people prefer just to listen but there are people who have opinions and want to voice their thoughts. These thoughts could be from topics like ‘Donald Trump’ and ‘Brexit’, which polarise communities through, to simple questions and answers asking for help and advise.

You can already use voice messaging in private groups through popular messaging apps such as Messenger, WhatsApp, WebChat and Kik, but these voices are not public and they are not searchable. So how about the ability to post your voice notes to the public and for anyone in the world to be able to find your voice and talk back?

Well, now you can podcast and get your voice out on the World Wide Web for free. Sound Branch is a free cloud-based platform where you can start with a 10-second seed and then branch out with further 10 second recordings called branches.

This allows non-linear conversation and podcasts, where topics can drift off in all sorts of directions and tangents. Most conversations in the world are not recorded but this is starting to change with smart homes, Amazon Echo and Google Home listening into our conversations. With this in mind, there is also an Alexa Skills available for Sound Branch accessible on the Amazon Echo.

Whether we are talking to our TV to change a channel, talking to our connected car or talking to our Amazon Echo to play music people are starting to use voice-controlled technology and assistants to do stuff. And whilst it’s fine for Siri to talk back with its computer voice or for Alexa to reply, they don’t always understand what you say. Humans however do and humans’ brains are still more powerful than supercomputers. So I think it’s much more interesting to talk to your Amazon Echo than to talk to virtual assistants. And whilst virtual assistance through machine learning trying to have more of a personality they aren’t there yet.

In summary, voice search is coming and 50% of people will be using their voice to search the internet by 2020. With this sweeping change in technology and users not needing to touch their screens, opportunities for new platforms and media will emerge. Sound Branch is one of those platforms that take advantage of voice technology connecting human beings. Sound Branch makes podcasting available to the many, not the few and lets everyone grow their voice in new ways. Sound Branch allows you to talk to people around the world and broaden your horizons!