Arguing that talk has an important place in the English language arts curriculum and across the whole curriculum, this book presents examples of children and teachers talking together, talking about what they are doing "here and now," and talking about what they know and feel about events shaping the world beyond the classroom. Chapter titles include: (1) "He Wants to Write" (Naida Dwyer); "Talking in Class" (John Dwyer); "Talking and Listening in Year One" (Margaret Hetherington); "Talking in the Reading Conference" (Jan D'Arcy); "Talking in the Writing Conference" (Dian Van Dijk); "Exploring Talk in a Year Five Classroom" (Steve Stronach); "Talking with Aboriginal Children" (John Dwyer); "Talking When English Is a Foreign Language" (Betty Murray); "Navigating a Sea of Confusion" (Joy Schloss); "Talking about Teacher Talk" (John Dwyer); "They Put Kisses All Over Your Book" (John Dwyer); and "Assessing Oral Language" (John Dwyer). Thirty-seven references are attached. (RS)