Access practical session plans to boost students' communication skills

Support your students to develop real-world communication skills

Help your students find their voice with Trinity College London’s Communication Skills Scheme of Work resources. These free-to-access teaching materials provide teachers with a clear, classroom-ready structure for building essential speaking and presentation skills in a supportive and engaging way.

Two versions are available, for younger learners (ages 8-11+) and older learners (ages 16–18) each offering practical guidance and tools that can be built into curriculum teaching or offered as a distinct programme.

Each Scheme of Work includes:

  • An overview of learning objectives, key skills developed and fit with exam tasks
  • Sequenced session outlines offering suggested activities and clear explanations
  • Practical tasks focused on interviews, presentation skills, discussions and everyday verbal communication scenarios
  • Structured checklists to support skills development and build learner confidence
  • Clear guidance on how the resource aligns with Trinity’s Communication Skills qualifications (Grades 1-3 and 6-8).

These resources are designed to reduce planning time for teachers while supporting learners to develop the confidence and skills they need to express themselves clearly, thoughtfully and with growing independence.

They provide helpful preparation for Trinity’s Communication Skills exams, offering accredited recognition of speaking and presentation skills across nine grades with UCAS points attached to the highest levels, supporting entry to UK universities.

Who will benefit from this resource?

Drama teachers

Build learners’ expressive confidence through activities that support natural delivery, encourage interaction and develop authentic communication. The teaching materials offer structured tasks that mirror real-world scenarios from presentations to group discussions.

English teachers

Reinforce opinion sharing, clarity of expression and critical thinking through purposeful communication practice. The teaching resources support teachers to extend listening and speaking skills beyond everyday English lessons, helping students communicate with confidence.

Other educators

Offers additional value to educators such as career counsellors, enrichment coordinators and specialist educators, who support verbal communication development beyond subject‑specific teaching. The teaching resources can be used flexibly and are suitable for targeted interventions.

Download your free teaching materials

Simply complete the short form below to access your teaching materials and receive guidance to help you start using the materials straight away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before starting work, more than a third of young people are anxious about speaking face-to-face with colleagues, and three in ten worry about phone calls. Supporting communication and speaking skills helps students build confidence and transition more effectively into the workplace as highlighted in Trinity’s transferable life skills research.

Trinity’s Communication Skills qualifications support the development of speaking, listening and non-verbal communications skills, helping students build confidence in expressing themselves clearly and effectively. 

Communication is a key transferable life skill, giving learners the confidence and clarity to express ideas and connect with others. These skills help people succeed in study, work and life by developing presentation, debate and critical thinking skills.

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