Metalanguage: the 'teacher talk' of explicit literacy teaching in practice

Article

Geoghegan, Deborah, O'Neill, Shirley and Petersen, Shauna. 2013. "Metalanguage: the 'teacher talk' of explicit literacy teaching in practice." Improving Schools. 16 (2), pp. 119-129. https://doi.org/10.1177/1365480213493707
Article Title

Metalanguage: the 'teacher talk' of explicit literacy teaching in practice

ERA Journal ID19950
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsGeoghegan, Deborah (Author), O'Neill, Shirley (Author) and Petersen, Shauna (Author)
Journal TitleImproving Schools
Journal Citation16 (2), pp. 119-129
Number of Pages11
Year2013
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN1365-4802
1475-7583
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/1365480213493707
Web Address (URL)https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1365480213493707
Abstract

Much has been written about what constitutes effective literacy teaching and learning, the power of effective 'teacher talk' and the impact on student learning outcomes. There is a growing body of research into pedagogical change to improve literacy outcomes and the implementation of schoolwide approaches to teaching and learning, particularly within the context of school improvement. This article ties together these two threads through the powerful stories of two primary schools that had undertaken a long-term school improvement project. The evidence of their explicit teaching of literacy is examined through investigation of the 'teacher talk' that occurs in classroom interactions and professional conversations. The way this talk reflects teachers' shared pedagogical practices, their use of metalanguage for learning and students' engagement is exemplified. It shows how, in each case, the pedagogical dialogue and literacy learning is mutually used by teachers and students in their literacy practices.

Keywordsclassroom literacy practices; explicit teaching; teacher metalanguage; teacher talk
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390307. Teacher education and professional development of educators
390104. English and literacy curriculum and pedagogy (excl. LOTE, ESL and TESOL)
390102. Curriculum and pedagogy theory and development
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Byline AffiliationsFaculty of Education
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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