The document discusses the importance of reducing teacher talk (TTT) in the classroom. It notes that while teacher talk can be useful for clarifying concepts and explaining grammar, relying too heavily on it limits student-to-student talk, makes the students' role passive, and hinders the development of their speaking skills. The document provides strategies for lesson designs and activities that encourage more student participation and interaction, such as assigning pair and group work, using elicitation instead of explanation, and having students give feedback to one another.

1. Students get the correct
Crucially important for the input. We are a source of
process of acquisition “Comprehensible input”
(Krashen)
Teacher
Talk
Communicative Language
“The primary function of
Teaching (CLT) gives
language is for
emphasis to communication
communication, and
in the classroom, BUT... do we
interaction”. ( Richard &
all base our classes on this?
Rodgers 1986:71)
or do we talk, talk and talk?

2. Students get bored.
It limits the amount of STT.
The students don‟t have the chance to look for information by
themselves.
The Students „ role becomes passive.
Students‟ speaking skills are limited.
Learners do not have any responsibility.

3. Strategies for reducing TTT
Encourage students to tell jokes, anecdotes or
stories in an interactive way letting them interrupt
or ask questions when necessary.
Design Pair group activities
increase STT.
Assign cooperative work.
Let students give feedback to one
another.
Use elicitation rather than
explanation.

4. Teacher talk must be simplified
but natural when explaining an
exercise (Teacher talking, 2007)
Teacher talk should allow students
to express themselves asking
questions and commenting
(teacher talking, 2007)
TT becomes specially useful when
it is repeated or ´re-cycled´ at
regular intervals (practicing the
language)(teacher talking, 2007)

5. Useful to clarify
some concepts,
explain difficult
grammar and
help students
who don’t
understand
It’s useless
when the class
depends on it
and the use of
L2 is reduced.