Structured talk control (start/stop, roles, time)
Aim (what it achieves)
Allow talk for learning without it turning into noise.
When to use
Any paired/group talk; especially with classes that overrun talk tasks.
How to use (steps)
Teacher language (examples)
“20 seconds each. Then silence on my signal.”
Top tips (makes it work)
Use a timer; circulate; stop exactly on time.
Common pitfalls
Vague ‘discuss’; letting it drift; no stop signal.
SEND/PP considerations
Supports SEND/PP by making talk predictable; reduces social anxiety.
Useful for these SEND needs
Relevant SEND Needs
Why this strategy helps
- Uses low-arousal redirection to protect dignity.
- Reduces cognitive load and supports completion.
- Supports regulation and relational safety.
Universal SEND-friendly: Yes
SEND-targeted: Yes
Tags
Sources
Used in
Common Behaviour Issues (Behaviour Hub)
- Interrupt & Redirect Chatting during independent work
- Interrupt & Redirect Peer friction / bickering / low-level conflict
Related strategies
Proximity and presence
Stop low-level disruption without breaking teaching flow.
Pause and scan (hold the space)
Use calm silence to reset attention and stop chatter spreading.
Procedural seat change (quiet reset)
Break patterns (peer friction, chatting) without confrontation.
Reset the room (10–20 second whole-class reset)
Stop ‘spread’ of chatter and restore calm without drama.
Attention signal + countdown
Regain whole-class attention quickly and predictably.
Pre-correction (prime expectations before the moment)
Prevent predictable slip-ups by reminding students of the expected behaviour right before a high-risk moment.