In this paper I present my research on teaching as conversational genres. Through ethnographical studies in the Swedish Upper Secondary School four different conversationalgenres within the teaching of literature have been identified: TheTeaching Examination, The Informal Book Talk, The Text Oriented Talk, and The Culturally Oriented Talk. The presentation focuses how these conversational genres differ in patterns of interaction, literary content, cultural norms and educational quality. Finally the students’ participation and resistance to participate in these conversational genres are discussed.