Why did Sir James Kay-Shuttleworth prefer oral instruction in normal schools?

Sir James Kay-Shuttleworth, a foundational figure in English teacher education, advocated for oral instruction in normal schools because he believed that both the subject matter taught and the methods used to teach it should serve as a practical preparation for a student's future vocation as a teacher.1

By utilizing oral instruction, Kay-Shuttleworth intended for the training process itself to model the pedagogical techniques that the candidates would eventually employ in their own classrooms. This approach prioritized the integration of professional training with academic instruction, ensuring that the experience of being taught was inherently linked to the art of teaching.1