How do you stop your class discussion degenerating into a heated debate about last night’s TV programmes? How do you know what your pupils are achieving in their small group discussions? Isn’t all this talking rather a waste of time?
First published in 1988, Learning and Talking argues that talking in class need not be a waste of time. In fact, it can be an important means of learning and the many examples of oracy in practice given in this book show just how stimulating and helpful this approach can be. Ray Tarleton describes the essential ground rules for successful oral work and suggests a variety of assessment schemes which enable pupils to define, recognise, and practice oral skills. Throughout the book, his emphasis is on how children can themselves understand the process of talking and listening. This work will be a valuable read for students and researchers of education.