The Talking Teacher: Why Less Instruction Sparks More Learning
One of the saddest truths I’ve had to acknowledge as a teacher came to me courtesy of the mighty John Holt — and it stopped me in my tracks:
“The biggest enemy to learning is the talking teacher.”
— John Holt
Ouch. That stung. I was famous in my classrooms for dominating lessons with my personal anecdotes, philosophies, insights, and, of course, the constant stream of facts I believed needed to be delivered in order for students to learn.
But Holt was right — and I now know that standing in front of children and lecturing is one of the least effective ways to spark real learning.
Learning Isn’t About Delivery — It’s About Discovery
So much of traditional schooling is based on a faulty assumption: that knowledge is something to be delivered by a teacher and absorbed by a student.
But think about this: if someone had to land a small plane because the pilot was suddenly incapacitated, and they were wearing a headset receiving instructions from air traffic control — do you think they'd succeed?
Many would. Because their life would literally depend on it. Their motivation would be extreme. And crucially — they'd be learning in the most engaged, active, focused way possible.
They wouldn't be tested on theory. They wouldn't be required to memorise facts before the task. They’d listen, think, apply — and act.
This reveals the core truth behind John Holt’s other famous assertion:
“Learning is not the product of teaching. Learning is the product of the activity of learners.”
— John Holt
And here’s the key: it’s not about clever ways of getting kids to learn. It’s about creating the conditions in which the desire to learn springs up naturally — where curiosity, not compulsion, drives the process.
Too Much Teaching Can Interfere with Learning
We don’t like to admit this, but many students today are simply going through the motions — performing, complying, passing tests — but not truly learning in a deep, personal, retained way.
John Taylor Gatto nailed the reason why:
“Over-teaching interferes with learning.”
— John Taylor Gatto
That’s a harsh truth for many teachers to hear. It was for me.
But it rings true. Think of how often traditional schooling prioritises performance over participation, answers over inquiry, compliance over curiosity.
And so many young people are growing up with the belief that learning is something done to them, rather than something they do themselves.
“The truth is that schools don’t really teach anything except how to obey orders.”
— John Taylor Gatto
It’s a confronting critique. But look around — do you see students lighting up with passion for knowledge in the average classroom, or zoning out, waiting to be told what to do next?
Homeschooling Is Not About Delivering Lessons —
It’s About Facilitating Growth
At Coach House, we are crystal clear on this point:
Home schooling is NOT delivering school lessons at home.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
What we offer is a facilitation of learning — not a dictatorship of content. We design our individualised home school programs to make the world as accessible as possible to the child, in Holt’s words — and then we step back and let the sparks fly.
“We can best help children learn not by deciding what we think they should learn and thinking of clever ways to teach it to them, but by making the world as accessible as possible to them.”
— John Holt
That means…
Providing beautiful, high-quality resources
Creating rich, integrated units of work
Suggesting paths of discovery — and then letting the child run
Giving permission to explore, play, question and dive deep
When a child feels ownership over their learning — when they want to learn — everything changes. They become lifelong learners, not just temporary test-takers.
From Talking to Trusting
The shift from "talking teacher" to "trusted guide" was one of the most humbling changes I made in my career. But it was also the most freeing.
Now, instead of thinking I need to deliver all the knowledge myself, I focus on unlocking the learner. And in doing so, I’ve seen children — including my own — flourish in ways no chalkboard could ever achieve.
So if you're considering home education and wondering if you need to recreate a school day at the kitchen table — please, don't.
Instead, consider recreating curiosity, wonder, and confidence. That’s what real learning looks like.
Want to Learn More?
At Coach House, we specialise in designing personalised home school programs that restore a child’s natural love of learning. Our approach is inspired by the best thinkers in education — and driven by the unique needs of your child.
👉 Book a free Zoom discovery session
👉 Download free resources
👉 Explore our integrated unit catalogue
