7 Ways to Help English Learners Speak Up in Class

“Strategies like extending wait time and having students write before speaking create conditions for English learners to feel confident participating in discussions.”

By Giorgia Cristiani

Cristiani begins this article with an anecdote from her own experience trying to have a conversation in her second language. She could read and write, and the classroom was not a problem, but everyday conversations were because she needed more time to process what was being said. English learners often have this issue in addition to a fear of making errors. These are her recommendations:

1. Respect the silent period of language acquisition. Communication can occur through gestures or yes/no questions.
2. Extend your wait time. The normal wait of 3-5 seconds is inadequate for MLs. They may participate more with a longer time to answer questions.
3. Have students write first. Giving students the opportunity to take notes and read their answers will increase participation.
4. Prioritize ideas over perfect grammar. Focusing on communication and modeling good grammar can make students feel supported and promote their confidence.
5. Encourage turn-and-talks. Talking with a partner isn’t as frightening as being heard by an entire class, and they can practice what they want to say. The teacher can give structure to the conversation through questions, images, vocabulary, and sentence starters.
6. Allow intentional translation. Use of their home language can help beginners understand content and reduce anxiety, but as their English skills progress, this should decrease.
7. Rephrase, don’t repeat. Repeating can be confusing, so it is better to rephrase an idea, and this can help students increase their vocabulary.

Cristiani concludes that “For them [MLs], every attempt to speak is a risk and a step forward. By making a few small shifts in how we engage them, we can unlock big opportunities for them to be heard, understood, and empowered.”

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