Below, you’ll find answers to the questions we get asked the most. If you have a question that is not answered below, please call our office team on 0845 003 0896 or email [email protected]
Chatta is a teaching method used in schools by teachers and teaching assistants. It is also used by families at home. Chatta involves teaching using audio-visual technology and has been designed to support progress in language, communication and literacy. Chatta links experiences and subject content with images and modelled language. The Chatta training and support helps teachers and parents use the approach to achieve the best outcomes for all pupils aged 3 to 18.
Chatta can help in lots of ways. We match our support to the development priorities and challenges of the schools we work with. Our training provides teachers and teaching assistants with the skills to effortlessly include the Chatta approach in their teaching. The main areas we find schools asking for our support are:
Whist our solution incorporates sophisticated teaching and learning technology, it is much more than an app. Chatta is a classroom teaching approach, supported by specially developed Chatta software available on iOS, Android and web browsers. The approach also includes training and support, resources for teachers, teaching assistants and parents/carers.
The way Chatta is used in teaching has been designed to combine a number of proven techniques. Chatta uses images and words to mirror the way people think. The visual nature of Chatta strengthens long-term memory for factual content, sequence and language. Teachers build audio-visual storyboards as they are teaching. During the teaching process, language is modelled and rehearsed. All resources are shareable and accessible outside lessons at home and school and used for pre and post teaching reinforcement.
Every Chatta lesson follows the same format. The only thing that changes is the subject and level.
Chatta can be used with whole classes, groups and individuals. Teachers use the approach to teach based on the subjects they are covering and they create audio-visual resources with their classes. Teachers model language throughout and provide opportunities for oral rehearsal for the pupils. Chatta provides simple activity plans which can be used or easily adapted. Teachers share content created through Chatta with parents and carers. In the same way as a school often has examples of writing for each year group, Chatta is often used to create examples demonstrating the use of spoken language.
Training is online or face-to-face. Online and webinar training leads to an action plan and step-by-step implementation of Chatta in the classroom. Face-to-face training includes demonstration activities with classes and groups of pupils.
Once training is complete, every Chatta Champion has a simple action plan and takes part in an online or telephone impact review every 2 months, leading to a new action plan.
Chatta is used by schools in countries all over the world and is available anywhere. Travel, accommodation and subsistence costs will be added for face-to-face training.
There are several ways parents and carers use Chatta. They are encouraged to use content created in the classroom to help their children rehearse and improve their spoken presentations. Parents and carers also use the Chatta software to make stories with their children based on the activities taking place at home. Chatta Matters is a weekly activity ideas resource which is sent to parents and carers.
Yes, we encourage everyone to have a go. Free training is available on the Chatta website. We also offer trial classroom lessons and resources and free access to Chatta's software for 30 days.
Yes. Book a demonstration on the Chatta website.
Anyone can see the impact of Chatta in their own classroom by completing Chatta's free training and teaching a trial Chatta lesson. School leaders and senior managers can contact the Chatta team by email ([email protected]) or phone (UK 0845 003 0896).
We will find out how Chatta can provide a solution to the challenges you are addressing and work out costings and propose next steps. All proposals are flexible and can be reviewed. Once a decision is made to move forward, the Chatta Champion begins the training based on an initial action plan.
Chatta’s approach combines a number of proven and well-established methods. Chatta’s most powerful aspects combine the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning, Dual Coding and Cognitive Load Theory.
If you are interested in discussing the research evidence which informs the design of Chatta, please get in touch by email ([email protected]) or phone (UK 0845 003 0896).
Chatta involves an ongoing process of impact review which gives schools real-time evidence of impact.
We would welcome any evaluation of the impact of Chatta on any scale.
Chatta was developed Chris Williams based on a long-term project in a large number of schools and nurseries.
Chris is a former Special School Teacher and Primary Special Needs Coordinator. He has spoken about his work at conferences around the world including South East Asia, the USA and Finland. Chris has advanced qualifications in special education and teaching children with autism.