Teacher Talking Time / Student Talking Time

Teacher Talking Time (TTT), as the name suggests, refers to the amount of time in which the teacher talks in the foreign language classroom (as opposed to Student Talking Time (STT)). It is clear that learners absorb and learn the language they hear every English lesson from their teacher: during giving instructions, discussions, explanations, etc.

However, it does not mean that teacher talk should dominate the foreign language classroom. Of course, by listening to their teacher, the learners are exposed to correct examples of English, and by interacting with the teacher they interact with a competent user of the language, which is an additional challenge. However, sometimes teachers forget themselves and tend to talk too much, for example, talking about themselves, presenting their opinions, etc.

Moreover, it sometimes happens that when teachers talk, students tend to switch off and lose concentration, which does not benefit their learning – we are truly focused when we are involved. It is also good to realize that the fact that the teacher is talking to the learners does not necessarily mean that they are learning.

Keep in mind that the lesson is for the learners, from beginning to end. It is possible to maximize student interaction in the foreign language classroom by putting students in pairs, or groups – it will provide them with the opportunity to speak as much as possible within a short period of time, therefore, it will increase STT. Students will learn from each other, which is another plus. When learners work in pairs or groups, it is a perfect chance for the teacher to monitor their performance and write down the mistakes they make.