ABSTRACT
Until relatively recently, speaking and listening has not been given such prominence within the curriculum ( Chapter 4). However, given the centrality of talk in children’s learning, we would argue that assessment of talk is crucial. This chapter offers guidance on principles for the assessment of talk, and includes way in which these principles may be put into practice with the help of a transcribed conversation between a teacher and pupil. This chapter should be read in conjunction with Chapter 15 , ‘Assessing reading’, and Chapter 22, ‘Assessing writing’, as some tools for assessment – such as Assessing Pupil Progress (APP) – are applicable to all three modes, whereas other strategies are specific to one mode.
