Instructional Conversation (IC) Intervention

Instructional Conversation (IC) is a culturally responsive teaching model that integrates best practices to improve teaching and learning outcomes for English language learners (ELLs) and all students in general. The IC model is a regularly scheduled teacher-led event involving three to seven students, lasting about 20 minutes, with a clear instructional goal. The teacher leads through topic control, and thus the event is instructional, but the ordinary 'courtesies' and characteristics of conversation apply. That is, students regulate their own speaking turns, everyone participates, and the teacher speaks less, thus allowing for close monitoring of students' comprehension and language development. The implementation of the IC pedagogy in a classroom requires organizing activities to facilitate each standard before, during, and after the lesson. Teachers must create a classroom structure that supports small group instruction and must consider management strategies, such as the implementation of rules and norms that guide students toward collaborative work that is independent from the teacher. Teachers must also develop activities for