Speaking and Spoken Discourse

In class, what percentage of speaking is done by the teacher? 20-29%

Why do teachers speak? To meet and greet

give instructions along with ICQs and CCQs

model pronunciation

dictagloss activity, give dictation or spelling test

What percentage of speaking is done by the student? 80%

When do students speak in a lesson? Which parts of the lesson are they required to speak?

Lead in – to activate schemata

Compare answers to exercises

Give feedback

Group discussion after a reading or listening text or prior to a writing task

Doing a task-based learning activity and generally asking questions

How can the teacher help their students speak better and speak more?

Go through and board a list of ‘Useful Language’ which can be made up of expressions
previously learnt, essential for fluency and new language point

Offer students a script and flow chart –e.g. if A says yes, B responds with …, if A says no, B
responds with …

Include pronunciation practice and drills

Get students to reflect on completed discussion - how much of the language points/script they
used/followed

Get students to discuss any new expressions which came up

What should the teacher be doing while students are speaking?

Note down good language usage, difficulties with pronunciation, any issues

Note down errors for correction before moving on to the next activity