The approach encourages teachers to use a variety of techniques, implementing all modalities and utilizing positive reinforcement, as a means of stimulating oral language. A TALK manual includes lessons in listening skills, grammatical skills, describing and defining, personal and social awareness, choral speaking, story telling, creative dramatics and puppets. At the end of a six-month period, the teacher should be capable of interfacing TALK with the classroom instructional program. These highly significant gains have been obtained at all grade levels. This program directly addresses Goal 3 of the National Goals for Education.
Students learn and apply effective oral language and communication skills.
This substantially increases their ability to reason, solve problems, apply knowledge, and write and communicate effectively. The TALK program can be utilized by a classroom teacher if speech and language staff are not available. After language specialists and classroom teachers have been trained in the program, they can train other personnel in the local district. TALK staff assist adopting districts in evaluating the effectiveness of the program as it is implemented. TALK staff and Certified Trainers are available for trainings.