Talking science: if I can not explain, do not understand

Abstract

For students to learn science and know how to use scientific knowledge in different contexts and situations, that is, to be competent in science, it is absolutely crucial to "talk and write science”. As it is necessary to speak a language to be competent in it, to learn science it is necessary "to talk science”. The aim of this article is to point out that necessity. First, a theoretical foundation about the importance of language as a thought builder is outlined, based on Lemke thematic pattern. Then, strategies to make students "speak science” in class are shown. Those strategies are simple and easy to implement: a change of our usually undertaken activities viewpoint is all that is required.