Classroom Talk

Language is how think and learn together
(based on quote from Neil Mercer)

ELL Learners need to see

• need to understand what is said to them and what they read
• Need to use the new language themselves
• need opportunities to use "stretched" language
• need models of new language, esp. academic registers of school

ELL Learners need to see

• need opportunities to build on the resources of their mother tongue
• is facilitated when students are using the new language to learn other things, such as subject material

IRE Pattern

Dialogic Approach

Limit display language

Ways to work for meaning with students

• Respond to meaning
• slow down the dialogue
• add more wait time
• Allow more thinking time before answering
• help students explain their reasoning, but just answer

Help students respond by:

• Treat students as worthy conversational partners
• Using message abundancy

Ell Students