Talk to Me Tuesdays:
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Leave a comment and read what your colleagues have to say!
I've changed the settings so anyone can comment.
So, I'll pick one person who comments this week too- a gift will come your way.
What things can I try this week to reduce Teacher Talk?
I will choose one activity. I will record myself on my iPhone (audio only) and listen to it after the class. Then I can check how precise (hopefully :) my instructions were, evaluate if my language was level-appropriate and see how long I talked. It's an experiment, haven't done this in a while.
ReplyDeleteElicit rather than explain; model; use peer evaluations of work; use Power Point presentation to guide lessons along and to help teacher “stick to the script”; classroom routines and repeating activities so students need less explanation.
ReplyDeleteElicit rather than explain; model; use peer evaluations of work; use Power Point presentations to guide lessons along and to help teacher to “stick to the script”; set up classroom routines and repeat activities so less explanation is required.
ReplyDeleteTry more collaborative activities to get students talking to one another stressing that the conversation should be in English.
ReplyDeleteRecording the lesson is a good idea. I show words on the board and get them to read it. I then get students to ask each other. Scaffolding with less talk from me.
ReplyDeleteSet up language on the board, get students to repeat, elicit vocabulary, get students to practice in front of others, gather groups according to number of students and logistics of classroom, and fire away.
ReplyDeleteIn an advanced class I simply bring up some topic they can easily reminisce on, which, of course, is related to a Ventures theme:
ReplyDeleterelationships in a family between generations, wedding preparation, good or bad shopping experiences, etc. It is very important to create a safe environment where students feel comfortable sharing their personal experiences and feelings. When one students is done sharing, no one stays indifferent: there are tons of questions and sparkling conversations/discussions happening. It is more like a big noisy family reunion than a class!..
I've found that writing a script directly into my lesson plan for exactly what I want to say has helped. Even if I don't say it verbatim in class, it helps me prep for the lesson by putting myself in a mental teaching position and it forces me to think about my teacher talk ahead of time. This works especially well for beginner classes. Preparation is key!
ReplyDeleteWow!! That's really interesting Jean. Thanks for sharing that- you really have me thinking!
ReplyDelete