ABSTRACT
This chapter talks about talking and listening to pupils: getting to know them, encouraging them, talking about their short and long term aims, and discussing the role of error and effort in learning. Although words alone are not sufficient to shift unhelpful mindsets and build new habits, the power of classroom dialogue is often understated, especially given how little teacher time and effort it requires. Classroom dialogue is one of those rare beasts in education: something that takes little teacher time and effort, but can have a profound influence on the way pupils work and the aims they're focusing on. Certain kinds of praise and encouragement, in particular, can powerfully enhance pupils' motivation and sense of self-efficacy. Ambitious academic goals can catalyse motivation and engagement, but they can appear daunting. Ambitious longer term aims can focus the mind and increase pupil motivation.
