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      • SIOP Feature 1 Write content objectives clearly for students
      • SIOP Feature 2 Write language objectives clearly for students
      • SIOP Feature 4 Identify Supplementary Materials to Use
      • SIOP Feature 6 Plan meaningful activities that integrate lesson concepts with language practice
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      • SIOP Feature 7 Explicitly link concepts to students backgrounds and experiences
      • SIOP Feature 8 Explicitly link past learning to new concepts
      • SIOP Feature 9 Emphasize key vocabulary for students
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      • SIOP Feature 10 Use Appropriate Speech for Students Proficiency Level
      • SIOP Feature 11 Explain Academic Tasks Clearly
      • SIOP Feature 12 Use a variety of techniques to make concepts clear
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      • SIOP Feature 13 Provide ample opportunities for students to use strategies
      • SIOP Feature 14 Use scaffolding techniques consistently throughout lesson
    • SIOP Interaction >
      • SIOP Feature 16 Provide frequent opportunities for interaction and discussion
      • SIOP Feature 17 Use Group Configurations that support language and content objectives
      • SIOP Feature 18 Provide sufficient wait time
    • SIOP Practice and Application >
      • SIOP Feature 20 Provide hands-on materials and/or manipulatives for students to practice using new content knowledge
      • SIOP Feature 21 Provide activities for students to apply content and language
      • SIOP Feature 22 Provide activities that integrate all language skills >
        • Four Domains of Language Speaking
        • Four Domains of Language Listening
        • Four Domains of Language Writing
        • Four Domains of Language Reading
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      • SIOP Feature 25 Engage Students 90-100% of the Time
      • SIOP Feature 26 Pace the Lesson Appropriately to the Students Ability Level
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      • SIOP Feature 27 ​Give a comprehensive review of key vocabulary
      • SIOP Feature 29 Provide feedback to students regularly on their output
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SIOP Feature #18:  Provide sufficient wait time for student responses consistently

Under the SIOP component, Interaction, is this feature on wait time.  Wait time is the amount of time a teacher waits after asking a question.  Using wait time has many benefits including increased quality and quantity of student responses.  Teachers can use a variety of strategies to give students the wait time they need to succeed.

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SIOP Feature #18:  Provide sufficient wait time for student responses.

The 18th feature of SIOP, using wait time, is one of four features found within the component, Interaction.  Wait time, sometimes called think time, is an important instructional component.  Using wait time effectively has many benefits.  There are many different places a teacher can experiment with wait time to help improve learning in the classroom.

Why should we use wait time?

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Unfortunately, as teachers, we often reward "the quick one out of the gate."  The average teacher waits less than one second between the time she or he asks a question and the time s/he answers the question for the class.  This means that if you are a quick learner, you get a chance to shine.  If you are not the quickest one in class, you may find that it difficult to contribute in class. A teacher who gives students 3-5 seconds of wait time upon asking a question will notice the following benefits:
  1. Increase in the quantity of responses.
  2. Increase in the quality of responses.
  3. Increase in student engagement.
  4. Increase in student comprehension.

When should we use wait time?

There are a number of different places we can use wait time.  Here are three of the most powerful:
  • After asking a question to the class, wait before responding to it.
  • After a student answers a question, wait before moving on to something else.
  • After clarifying a student's response, wait before going to the next step in the lesson.

How can we use wait time effectively?

There are quite a few ways that we can improve our ability to use wait time effectively.  Like anything, using wait time (or think time) effectively requires conscious practice.  Nonetheless, here are four tips to make sure you're getting the most out of this technique:
  1. Educate students on what wait/think time is and why it's important to use it.
  2. Count silently in your head to five every time you ask a question.
  3. If you need more time, get students to confer with a friend (pair share).
  4. Every so often, take the pulse of the students and get feedback from them on how wait time is or isn't working for them.
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TESOL Trainers provides K-12 SIOP Professional Development Worldwide

TESOL Trainers is the world leader in experiential professional development programs.  We transform the way educators consider teaching and learning.  Whether you are interested in short or long term teacher training programs, here are three things John Kongsvik's programs have in common:
1.  Experiential - everything is done in an interactive format.
2.  Engaging - everyone connects to the content from the beginning to the end.
3.  Empowering - every person walks away with confidence and competence.
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