May I talk in class? YES!

Define talk. Why is it beneficial in the classroom? Give examples of talk in the classroom.

The value of talk in elementary classrooms is an essential part of language arts and is necessary for academic success in all content areas. (Heath, 1983) Simply stated by Shuy (1987) "talk is a necessary ingredient for learning." Talk is the ability to communicate ideas, gather information, expression of opinions and to gain a deeper understanding of material.

Just as in listening, there are various forms of talk. Talk can be labeled as formal or informal. The two types of talk that are conducive in the classroom are aesthetic and efferent. If the talk is aesthetic, the student may communicate a story and it will further the student's understanding of the material they have read, be it for recreational reasons or academic enrichment. Should the talk be efferent, then we know that it should serve as a tool to assist the student in understanding the information and enabling him/her to present the information verbally or written. Proper classroom management is of the essence when assigning talking to students.

The goal of assigned talking for students is to ensure that the student is comprehending the material as well as to promote higher level thinking in the minds of the students. As teachers, we may assign talking in various methods, but not limited to, the following: one-on-one, partners, whole groups, small groups or having grand conversations. Talking amongst peers plays a role in a student's social development and interrelation connections. Group conversations will promote interaction even in the midst of varied opinions.

My personal opinion is that my teachers that were dead set on a QUIET classroom at all times performed an injustice to my development. I had to learn to operate in a "noisy" environment when I entered college. I had some classes when the teacher (typically ONLY in advanced courses) allowed free talk time but these type of teachers were few and far between. Being comfortable with stating my opinion, which was not always in agreement with the popular opinion, developed during my young adult years. I believe it would have been a great benefit to have been comfortable with this during my high school days. Learning that we can agree to disagree on issues came a later stage in my life. As with everything, evolution of classroom methods comes with time unless we are fortunate enough to have radical teachers that passionately teach even if their methods may seem unorthodox to others but are more concerned with the growth of the student.