The Role of Talk in Learning

When children learn language, they are not simply engaging in one type of learning among many; rather, they are learning the foundations of learning itself...

M.A.K. Halliday

In the English Language Arts programs for elementary (ELA) and secondary (SELA & SELA2) the role of talk in learning and thinking is central. This is because talk is an essential component to the processes of reading and interpreting texts, as well as producing them.

Our English Language Arts programs are an integration of the fundamentals of critical literacy. Each competency (including the TALK competency) offers opportunities for students to use talk to read and produce a variety of texts. In other words, any one competency incorporates all of the other competencies.

In English Language Arts classrooms, from elementary to the end of secondary school, talk serves many functions.

• When we're engaged in learning, whether as child, youth or adult, talk functions as the exposed edge of thought. The human mind needs to "hear" what it's thinking in the form of language. Otherwise, it is almost impossible to generate thoughts and ideas that make sense. Conventional talk is not the only way this happens: when we read or write texts, there's a kind of "voice" in our head that speaks to us and guides comprehension and composing processes.
  
  
• Since (informal) talk functions as a draft of our thinking, it is the first language form that we learn and use to communicate with others, making it deeply related to our sense of self-identity. It is an essential component in reading comprehension, in the acquisition of writing skills and in group work.
  
  
• In school, the kind of talk we use to "think out loud" allows us to:
  • learn from instruction,
  • express and share thoughts, questions, point of view and ideas,
  • understand processes, theories and concepts,
  • gather and process information,
  • develop interpersonal and critical thinking skills.
  
  
• More formal types of talk are the means of communication when students debate, make presentations and defend their viewpoints and opinions.
  
  
• Not surprisingly, over 75% of communication with others occurs through talk, whether at home, school or work. It is the way we learn.