95: What Does Background Knowledge Have To Do With It?

Having background knowledge on a topic gives us a significant advantage in mastering unfamiliar tasks.

This applies to speech as well. Studies show that when students read, they have greater comprehension if they have background knowledge on the topic. They are better able to use context clues and thus, achieve greater success with comprehension and vocabulary.

So how do we target that in our speech practice?

In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, I am sharing more information on why you should target background knowledge in speech, how to assess your students, and ways to improve their background knowledge on a given topic.

You’ll want to start by assessing what your students already know about the topic you are covering. After that, you can help them gain the knowledge they are lacking with online tools, books, YouTube videos, and more.

In This Episode You’ll Discover:

The importance of targeting background knowledge in speech
How to assess if your students have background knowledge in something
Using the friend, acquaintance, stranger method to assess
Teaching students to self reflect
Online tools for teaching background knowledge

Is background knowledge something that you target already in your speech room? If so, I hope that I gave you some new ideas, and if not, I hope I motivated you to start working with your students on their background knowledge. There are so many tools that you can use to help your students! Remember, you can start by assessing what they know and fill in any necessary gaps.

For resources that will help your students understand and gain background knowledge, make sure to check out my membership SLP Elevate. You’ll get month-long topics that will bombard your students with information on a topic that will help grow their skills.

Joke of the Week:

Q: What part of the car is the laziest?

A: The wheels because they are always tired.

Resources Mentioned:

Check out the Background Knowledge blog post

Check out SLP Elevate

Where We Can Connect:

Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

Follow to the Podcast

Follow Hallie on Instagram

Follow Hallie on Facebook

Follow Hallie on Pinterest

Follow & Review on Apple Podcasts

Are you following the podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to follow today so you don’t miss any future episodes! I already have so many amazing guests and topics lined up, I would hate for you to miss a single one! Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts.

Could I ask a big favor? If you are loving the podcast, I would LOVE it if you would leave me a review on Apple Podcasts. I read each and every review. Plus, you get to pay it forward because it will allow other teachers like you to find the podcast! Wondering how to leave a review? Click here to review, then select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”. So easy and so appreciated!