Teacher Talks

A teacher talk is everything that a teacher says in the classroom. This includes content, context, tone and vocabulary.

TEACHER TALK. A semi-technical term in educational research and applied linguistics for the characteristic (often simplified) style of SPEECH of teachers. 

What are the elements of teacher talk?

The research indicated nine functional characteristics of teacher talks: introducing material, correcting, repeating, explaining, defining, giving example, clarifying, questioning and encouraging.

There are nine functional characteristics of teacher talks: introducing material, correcting, repeating, explaining, defining, giving example, clarifying, questioning and encouraging.

• Introducing material is the act of presenting new information to students. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as lecturing, giving demonstrations, or showing videos.

• Correcting is the act of identifying and correcting errors in students' work. This can be done through direct instruction, providing feedback, or giving hints.

• Repeating is the act of repeating information that has already been presented. This can be done to help students understand the information or to ensure that they have retained it.

• Explaining is the act of providing clarification or elaboration on information that has been presented. This can be done by providing examples, analogies, or other ways of making the information more understandable.

• Defining is the act of providing a clear and concise definition of a term or concept. This can be done by using examples, synonyms, or other methods of clarifying the meaning of the term.

• Giving example is the act of providing specific instances or illustrations of a general concept. This can help students to understand and remember the concept.

• Clarifying is the act of removing any confusion or ambiguity about a particular point. This can be done by providing additional information, rephrasing the question, or asking probing questions.

• Questioning is the act of asking students questions to assess their understanding of the material. This can also help to stimulate discussion and promote active learning.

• Encouraging is the act of providing positive reinforcement and support to students. This can help to motivate students and boost their confidence.

These nine functional characteristics of teacher talks are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they often overlap and are used in combination with each other. For example, a teacher might introduce a new concept by giving an example, then define the concept and ask questions to check for understanding.

The use of teacher talk is an important part of the teaching and learning process. By using these nine functional characteristics effectively, teachers can help students to acquire new knowledge, develop understanding, and improve their skills.

Here are some examples of how the nine functional characteristics of teacher talks can be used in the classroom:

• The teacher introduces a new concept by giving an example: "Let's say we have a group of 10 students. How many different pairs can we make?"

• The teacher corrects an error in a student's work: "You're right that the answer is 10, but you forgot to carry the one."

• The teacher repeats information that has already been presented: "I'll say that again. The capital of France is Paris."

• The teacher explains a concept by providing an analogy: "The solar system is like a model of our own solar system. The sun is like the teacher, and the planets are like the students."

• The teacher defines a term by providing a synonym: "The word 'happy' means the same as 'content' or 'joyful.'"

• The teacher gives an example of a concept: "An example of a mammal is a cat."

• The teacher clarifies a point by rephrasing the question: "Can you rephrase that question?"

• The teacher asks a question to assess student understanding: "Can anyone tell me what the capital of France is?"

• The teacher encourages students by providing positive reinforcement: "Good job! You're really understanding this concept."

These are just a few examples of how the nine functional characteristics of teacher talks can be used in the classroom. By using these characteristics effectively, teachers can help students to learn more effectively and efficiently.