Every class has a quiet student. They listen, they nod, and they say nothing. Before you push them to speak, remember: silence is not always a refusal. Sometimes it is fear.
Silence is not empty
A quiet student may be translating in their head. Give them time. Count to five before you help.
Wait. Let them find the word.
Start in pairs
Speaking to the whole class is hard. Speaking to one person is easier. Begin with pairs, then groups of four, then the class.
Tell your partner one thing you ate today.
Give thinking time
Ask the question. Then wait. Do not fill the silence. The quiet student often speaks at second four.
Praise the try, not the answer
Say, "Good try." Not, "Not quite." A student who feels safe will speak again tomorrow.
I like that you tried. Say it again with me.
Let them write first
Some students need to see the words before they say them. One minute of writing makes one minute of speaking possible.
Words to remember
- shy — afraid to speak in front of other people
- silence — a time with no sound
- partner — the person you work with
- praise — to say good things about someone
Questions & answers
Q: What if nobody answers?
Wait longer than feels comfortable. If there is still silence, let students ask a partner first.
Q: Should I correct every mistake?
No. Choose one mistake for the lesson. Correcting everything stops the talking.
Q: How do I include the strongest student?
Give them a job: help a partner, read the example, keep time. They stop dominating and start helping.
Q: Can games help shy students?
Yes, if the game has a small part for everyone. A game where one person speaks for a minute does not help.
Q: What if a student never speaks?
Speak with them alone. Ask what would make it easier. Sometimes one kind sentence changes everything.