In this chapter, Debbie Newman, CEO of the education charity the Noisy Classroom, highlights the often overlooked role of listening in oracy. Despite oracy frameworks’ focus on speaking, listening remains undervalued. Drawing from experiences throughout her career, Newman underscores varied talk cultures among schools, from concerns about articulation to speaking reluctance. Arguing for a balanced approach, she stresses listening’s importance alongside speaking in academic, social, and professional contexts. To her this does not mean superficial "listening behaviours" but instead the broader understanding of listening as a cognitive skill. Newman explores how schools cultivate listening, citing examples from Modern Foreign Languages and drama departments, as well as through debate and discussion techniques. By championing listening skills, Newman contends, schools can enhance students’ abilities, fostering empathy and critical thinking for success in academic and real-world settings.