ESL Term:

Teacher Talk

Back to ESL Resources | Back to Glossary

teacher talk: The time when the teacher is speaking. H. Douglas Brown, in Teaching by Principles, recommends that teachers articulate their language, slow it down, use simpler vocabulary, and speak in structures just above the student's level. He warns against speaking loudly as the students have no problems hearing.

Some authors think that teacher talk outside of discussing the lesson material may be the most effective input a teacher can give, as it is the most authentic and meaningful exchange between student and teacher.