It refers to the amount of time that the teacher spends talking during a lesson. It's often contrasted with "Student Talking Time" (STT), which is the amount of time students spend speaking.
In recent years, there has been a shift in the focus of language teaching away from TTT and towards increasing STT. This is because research has shown that:
* Students learn best when they are actively engaged in using the language.
* Students need opportunities to practice their speaking skills in a safe and supportive environment.
While the teacher still plays an important role in planning and facilitating the lesson, the goal is to create a classroom where students are doing most of the talking and interacting with each other.
Here are some ways to reduce TTT and increase STT in the classroom:
* Use communicative activities: Activities like role-plays, debates, group work, and games encourage students to use the language in a meaningful way.
* Ask open-ended questions: Instead of asking questions with yes/no answers, ask questions that encourage students to elaborate and give their opinions.
* Use visuals and realia: Visual aids and real objects can help to make the lesson more engaging and reduce the need for the teacher to explain everything verbally.
* Give students time to think and respond: Don't call on students immediately after asking a question. Give them time to process the information and formulate their responses.
* Create a safe and supportive environment: Encourage students to take risks and make mistakes. Let them know that it's okay to be wrong and that learning happens through trial and error.
By focusing on increasing STT, teachers can create a more effective and engaging learning experience for their students.