Classroom Interaction and Teacher Talk

Key Findings from Research

• Teacher Talk Dominance:
  • Teacher talk occupies 70-80% of classroom interactions.
  • Students collectively share 20-30% of the interaction time.

Implications for English Learners

• Limited Interaction Time:
  • English learners face challenges as they have to share the limited 20% with peers.
  • Insufficient interaction time hinders language acquisition for English learners.

Strategies to Enhance Student Interaction

• Increasing Student Talk Time:

  • Essential to provide more time for students to speak and interact.
  • Interaction should be planned throughout lessons and the school day.

• Promoting Interaction Through Structured Activities:

  • Cooperative Learning:
    • Incorporate a variety of activities that require cooperative learning.
    • Not just grouping students, but structuring discussions.
    • Require students to complete tasks together, fostering talk, work, and sharing.

Conclusion

• To improve language acquisition, especially for English learners, teachers must intentionally include more structured interaction opportunities in their lesson plans.