Table Talk: Learn How to Teach & Test English Conversation

Learn how to teach in a way that makes sure that whatever your students are saying is worth hearing.

English conversation in an academic setting more closely resembles an interview or an interrogation rather than a relaxed and free-flowing exchange of information, ideas, and opinions. The purpose of Table Talk! Is to teach you how to create an enjoyable space for students to talk with each other about the big and not-so-big questions of life.

Table Talk is conversation-based learning. This course is designed to help teachers create an atmosphere conducive to conversation by making the language spoken in class both comprehensible and engaging while building student confidence in answering questions. This will allow students to practice speaking English without the fear of being “on stage”. 

This course will show you how to help students spend time formulating their conversations, self-reflect and self-assess, have realistic conversations with peers of differing skill levels, and in the end, feel confident in their abilities. This will encourage participation by making sure everyone get a turn to use their ability in a way they are comfortable to. 

The motto of this course is, "When something can be learned without effort, great effort has gone into its teaching."

This course has done the hard work for you. Enjoy.

Oracy, or spoken language, is important to language learning for a number of reasons.

• Oracy provides opportunities for students to practice using the language in a meaningful way. When students are speaking, they are not just memorizing words and grammar rules; they are using the language to communicate with others. This helps them to develop their fluency and communicative competence.

• Oracy allows students to receive feedback on their language use. When students are speaking, their teacher and classmates can provide them with feedback on their pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary usage. This feedback can help students to identify and correct their mistakes, and to improve their overall language skills.

• Oracy can help students to develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. When students are engaged in conversation, they are often required to think critically about the topic at hand, to form arguments, and to solve problems. This can help them to develop their cognitive skills and to become more effective communicators.

• Oracy can help students to develop their social and emotional skills. When students are speaking, they are interacting with others and building relationships. This can help them to develop their social skills, such as turn-taking, listening comprehension, and empathy. It can also help them to develop their emotional skills, such as confidence and self-expression.

In addition to these benefits, oracy is also essential for academic success. Students who are skilled in oracy are more likely to succeed in their classes and to achieve their academic goals.

Here are some specific examples of how oracy can be used to support language learning in the classroom:

• Teachers can use oracy to introduce new vocabulary and grammar concepts. For example, a teacher might introduce the concept of past tense verbs by asking students to tell a story about something that happened yesterday.

• Teachers can use oracy to provide students with opportunities to practice using new vocabulary and grammar structures. For example, a teacher might have students work in pairs to complete a dialogue or to role-play a conversation.

• Teachers can use oracy to engage students in meaningful discussions about the topics they are learning. For example, a teacher might lead a class discussion about a book they have just finished reading or about a current event.

• Teachers can use oracy to assess students' language skills. For example, a teacher might ask students to give a presentation on a topic they have researched or to participate in a debate.

Overall, oracy is an essential part of language learning. It provides students with opportunities to practice using the language in a meaningful way, to receive feedback on their language use, to develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and to develop their social and emotional skills.