oral language TEKS talk image

Knowledge and Skills Statement

Developing and sustaining foundational language skills: listening, speaking, discussion, and thinking -- oral language. The student develops oral language through listening, speaking, and discussion.

This SE lends itself to cross curricular alignment as it can be assessed in all areas of instruction. As students “think-pair-share,” observe, take anecdotal notes, and record how students respond to the message of a lesson or class discussion.

Further Explanation

Students are required to show evidence of active listening and interpreting the message of a lesson or class discussion with “think-pair-share.” Students’ comments, questions, and summaries should directly link to the content. If they are off topic, this may indicate that students misinterpreted the concepts discussed.

Students should identify and explain the speaker’s opinion or ideas on the topic based on how the speaker organizes information, supports an idea or elaborates on the topic, or emphasizes certain points. Students should understand that, in speaking as well as in writing, messages can be implied; therefore, students must be attentive to the various communication techniques a speaker uses so that students can deconstruct what was said to explain the meaning of the intended message.
Active listening requires students to be engaged with the speaker and the content they are listening to in order to understand the intended message. Students who are listen actively listen with a purpose, engage with the speaker by asking questions and making comments, and demonstrate attentive nonverbal behavior such as making eye contact and nodding their heads.

Research

1. Richards, J. C. (2008). Teaching listening and speaking: From theory to practice. Cambridge University Press. New York: NY. Retrieved from https://www.professorjackrichards.com/wp-content/uploads/teaching-listening-and-speaking-from-theory-to-practice.pdf

Summary: This is a booklet that covers two different perspectives related to listening. Listening is addressed in terms of comprehension and acquisition. 

2. Thompson, F. T., Grandgenett, D. J., & Grandgenett, N. F. (1999).  Helping disadvantaged learners build effective listening skills. Education, 120(1), 130. Retrieved from https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A56639757/MSIC?u=tea&sid=MSIC&xid=35d250a4 

Summary: While it is an older article, the research fully addresses and supports the learning standard.