Simply by making noises with our mouths, we can
reliably cause precise new combinations of ideas to arise in each other’s
minds.
Steven Pinker
– The Language Instinct.
Sometimes, it
might be difficult to get students talking in class. There might be plenty of
explanations for that: They may be too shy or they are not just in the right
mood to talk and so on and so forth. (I am not going to make a long list here!)
I’m not
writing this post as an attempt to find out an explanation for the question.
I’m trying to suggest some alternatives instead. We may use such suggestion or
not. It is up to you!
One thing we
may take for granted: If your students do not talk in the classroom (language
classes), that’s undoubtedly a huge problem! After all, they’re there to talk, aren’t
they?
I am going to
write some topics about How To Teach
Speaking. They will basically be about things I have learnt and/or I belief
about the topic.
I will not
assume that they are really effective, but I think it is your job decide
whether they are worth using of not.
Let’s start
with the basic. Some people simply don’t like to talk about themselves and
their lives! Why? Who cares? I don’t think they will tell you!
“But I’m
teaching them an additional language. They are supposed to talk!”
Ok. Calm
down. It doesn’t mean they won’t talk. It might just suggest that they won’t be
willing to talk about themselves. Therefore, —simply put—, give them a new name.
That’s right! Some students feel more comfortable when they don’t have to use
their own names. Some of us just panic when we hear our teacher(s) calling our
names!
Consider using
this as an warmer:
There are a lot
of options and you may use them in different moments.
PORTAL DA
LÍNGUA INGLESA has no responsibility for the
persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-partly internet websites
referred to in this post, and does not guarantee that any context on such
websites are, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
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instances, I have been unable to trace the owners of the pictures used here;
therefore, I would appreciate any information that would enable me to do so.
Thank you very much.
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