In this paper we aim to analyse the discursive mechanisms of four primary teachers in two countries, paying special attention to their protagonism and the protagonism they give to their pupils when generating discussion from tales. Despite its many positive effects, interaction among peers is scarce in the classroom. Classical studies on verbal interaction indicate that the teacher makes use of around 70% of classroom time. As a result, only a third of the total time is shared by everyone else in class. Results point at a semi-directiveness of primary teachers both in Mexico and in Spain, where the percentages are not reached and we cannot speak of a discussion strictly speaking.