how do you make esl students talk

• Use groupwork or paired work. Instead of engaging in dialogue with students themselves, you can divide the class into pairs and have them practice conversations. ...
• Ask students to read and explain the instructions. Letting early ESL learners read the instructions aloud and explain them to the class can provide a great way for you to ...
• Ask open-ended questions. Moving beyond yes/no questions or those that require just one-word answers can prove tough for any class, but it’s a great way to get students engaged. ...
• Avoid excessive explanations. Probably the most difficult technique to implement is just to stop talking after giving the initial instruction or explanation. ...

Full Answer

What is the best way to teach ESL to students?

As an ESL teacher, you should repeat phrases like “let’s begin”, “do you understand?” and “repeat after me”. Your students can use phrases such as “please say that again”, “I don’t understand” and “please speak more slowly”. We call this “Teacher Talk, Student Talk”. Simply, these are a word bank of useful common language in English.

What is teacher talk and student talk in ESL?

Classroom Language: Teacher Talk and Student Talk. As an ESL teacher, you should repeat phrases like “let’s begin”, “do you understand?” and “repeat after me”. Your students can use phrases such as “please say that again”, “I don’t understand” and “please speak more slowly”. We call this “Teacher Talk, Student Talk”.

How much should a teacher talk in an ESL classroom?

Nearly any classroom, therefore, can benefit from direct instruction. In fact, the rule of thumb says a teacher should talk for 20% to 30% of a class session. In your ESL classroom, you provide the fullest and most accurate expression of the English language in the room.

How do I build teacher talk and student talk dialogue?

In order to do this, you will need to build the teacher talk and student talk dialogue from the first class. In the “Teacher Talk, Student Talk” activity sheet, we have built a list of useful classroom phrases. It’s a good idea to practice them in the first class so students know what you’re talking about.

How do you encourage students to speak?

Six Tips To Encourage Students To Speak Out In EnglishGive Clear Goals and Instructions. ... Reinforce Any Attempt of Speaking. ... Use the Element of Surprise. ... Do “Information Gap” Activities. ... Use the Types of Speaking Activities in the Right Sequence. ... Use Competition.

How do you interact with ESL students?

Build some repetition and re-wording into what you are saying. If a student doesn't understand, re-phrase what you are saying. Ask students to restate your questions or comments in their own words so that you can check their understanding.

How do you engage students in speaking?

The Eight Ways To Engage Shy Students In Speaking TasksBuild a relationship with them: ... Motivate them: ... Create a comfortable and supportive learning environment: ... Use collaborative learning: ... Use role-playing: ... Involve parents and past teachers: ... Provide confidence: ... Let them do easy tasks:

What are the speaking strategies?

The three strategies used the most by students from the five universities are: asking for repetition, the use of paraphrasing or a synonym for unknown words, and asking for clarification of a message.

What strategies would you use to communicate with an ELL student?

“Just talk to each other. Talk about what's going on in your classrooms, invite each other to special presentations, share what your students are learning, and the words will naturally find their way into the ESL class.”

How do you encourage quiet students to talk?

Encourage and Support Shy Students in Your ClassRemember They're Not Doing This on Purpose. ... Start with Non-Verbal Communication. ... Let Them Move at Their Own Pace. ... Use Positive Reinforcement. ... Learn Their Triggers. ... Avoid Labeling Them. ... Create Safe Spaces With Friends. ... Give Them a Job.More items...•

How do ESL students deal with shy?

Here are some tips for teaching shy kids to help you get them out of their shell and participating in class.Identify why they don't want to speak up. ... Don't put them on the spot. ... Don't push them too much. ... Build a relationship. ... Highlight small victories. ... Be very delicate about correcting them.More items...•

How do you engage quiet students?

How to Engage Quiet Students in the ClassroomBreak away from whole group discussions. Whole-group activities remain a common method of instruction. ... Offer alternatives for discussions and presentations. ... Use roles to change the group work dynamic. ... Have private one-on-one conversations with students. ... Your Turn.

How do teachers communicate with ELL?

Your school or district may have bilingual staff who can help communicate with ELL families, including interpreters, family liaisons, and paraprofessionals. These staff members can also provide invaluable information and insights into families' cultures or home situations.

How do you make ESL students feel comfortable in the classroom?

Here are some ideas for helping students feel more comfortable in the mainstream classroom.Prepare English-speaking peers for the arrival of a newcomer. ... Create a welcoming environment. ... Establish a regular routine for newcomers. ... Recruit "buddies" to help newcomers find their away around the school.More items...

How can I be a good ESL teacher?

13 Rules: How to Be a Good ESL TeacherDon't Be a Dictator When Teaching ESL.Maximize Your Students' Talk Time.Be a Coach and Provide Feedback.Use Humor in the Classroom.Be a Creative ESL Teacher and Make Lessons Fun.Keep Students Busy.Try Out New Things.Reflect and Seek Out Feedback.More items...

How to talk to ESL students?

How you talk in your lessons, when both focusing on instruction and relating with your students, will increase their language ability. Speak slowly and clearly so that the ESL student will understand. Choose words that are easier for them to grasp.

How to encourage students to learn English?

1. Build Fluency. The most important thing to remember is that your students need to be speaking English as much as possible.

How to teach students to read directions?

Choose words that are easier for them to grasp. Use visuals whenever possible so that students can also read the directions at the same time. Teaching with two or more modalities heightens understanding and learning. Offer repetition and review until your students have mastery.

Is learning a language developmental?

Learning a language is developmental. There are endless factors in acquiring a language, so it is important that you put this in perspective. When you talk to a student, allow wait time for the response. When they struggle with a certain skill or concept, help them over this hurdle.

What makes a good ESL icebreaker?

One of the main ideas behind icebreakers is to get students out of their shells and make them more comfortable with speaking in class, so you’ll need to use an icebreaker that interests them.

Why do teachers use icebreakers in ESL?

ESL icebreakers are also a way to build confidence and trust and allow students to see the classroom as a safe space for practicing English, asking questions, and even making mistakes.

What are icebreakers in ESL?

What are ESL icebreakers and why should I use them in class? 1 Teachers often use them on the first day of class to get students comfortable with one another and to establish a relationship between them and the students. 2 ESL icebreakers are also a way to build confidence and trust and allow students to see the classroom as a safe space for practicing English, asking questions, and even making mistakes. 3 Icebreakers are a lot of fun and can also be used to give students a break from more structured class activities, whether teaching young learners & teens or adult students. 4 They can be implemented at the beginning of class or anytime during the lesson to boost energy levels and recapture students’ attention. 5 If you find you have a few extra minutes, icebreakers can also make a good, productive way to fill the time.

How to teach students to find objects?

You can either share the list with them via chatbox, use a virtual whiteboard to write the list, or verbal ly tell the students what type of objects to find.

How to get students out of their shells?

In class, have your student (s) say a word or set of words that you choose. Roll the dice and direct them to follow the instructions shown . This is a fun and silly way to get students out of their shells while helping them practice their English-speaking skills.

How to bring objects to class?

Ask your student (s) to bring a meaningful object to class and share the story behind it with you and/or their classmates. If your student is a beginner, you can have them describe their object instead. E.g., “It is purple. It is big.” If you only have one student, consider asking them to bring in two or three objects total.

How to introduce your partner to your class?

Simply break students into pairs and have them interview one another. To help students get started, give them a list of things to find out about their partner, such as where they’re from, how many siblings they have, or what their summer plans are for the upcoming year. Then, they will introduce their partners to the rest of the class.

Why is ESL conversation important?

ESL conversation techniques and activities are helpful because talking about something in a different language is more complex and challenging than filling out a worksheet or reading a text and answering questions.

What are some good tasks to do?

Some good tasks include surveys and interviews, information gaps (each partner has information the other lacks and must request), and sentence starters (“My favorite sport is _____ because…”)

Can students do role plays?

Beginning students, for example, can do very simple role plays of everyday activities after practicing a simple dialog on the same subject.

Do students talk while the majority of the class remains silent?

Yet I’ve also found that without careful planning, a few students do most of the talking while the majority of the class remains silent. My students all have ideas, but only some of them share those ideas on a regular basis. Adding wait time after I ask a question helps more students get into the conversation, but still the more confident students are more likely to raise their hands.

Is it possible to learn by listening?

April 25, 2019. While it is possible to learn by listening, I’ve found that oral participation leads to greater gains in student literacy and engagement. English language learners in particular benefit from ample talk time, but they are not the only ones.

Why are students not talking?

Quite easily, the number one reason the students are not talking is that you have not prepared well.

Where are English teachers working?

The problem for many English teachers is that they are not teaching in their own country. They are working in Korea or China. Mexico or The Middle East. These countries have an antiquated teaching system that believes in the idea of the teacher doing most, if not all, of the talking.

Why are local teachers happy?

The local teachers are happy because it looks like you, the foreign teacher, is busy. Yakking away at the front of the class while all the students sit staring back at you with their mouths closed. The fact is that the more the students speak in class the more they learn. This is a known fact.

What should a debate be?

The debate should be something the students are aware of – could be something topical in the news or something that is going on in the school. Avoid anything political or too heavy. Better to have something the students can relate to easily. Divide the class into two groups and have a simple for and against discussion.

What would happen if the teacher moved around the class?

If the teacher moved around the class he could change the whole dynamic of the class. Move away from the front of the class and walk to the side of the room. It throws the students a little.

What is the problem with English teachers?

The problem for many English teachers is that they are not teaching in their own country.

Where is the teacher in class?

In many countries around the world, the teacher stands at the front of the class.

How to make sure ESL students are safe?

Make sure that ESL students are given safe opportunities to actually use the new language and that they have structured support where needs be. This could be in the form a of sentence starters on the board or from a supportive buddy, or teaching assistant.

Where should I sit in an ESL class?

Personally, I like to have my ESL students sat in a position near the front of the room where I can support them easily myself and where they can see the board clearly. For ESL learners it is important for them to see the facial gestures and shape of the mouth and lips to use as clues as to what is being said. Being sat towards the back of the room can severely limit the chances of being able to pick up on this.

What does "doint it this way" mean in ESL?

DOint it this way means the ESL student will not have time to ask questions and it may mean you skimp on the explanation.

Why do ESL learners need to feel good?

ESL learners need to feel as though they are succeeding and progressing. It helps them build momentum for the challenges ahead and builds their confidence in using English. For this reason , provide numerous activities that they can actually complete on their own, see the result of and feel good about.

What happens if an EAL learner doesn't see what it is expected of them?

If the EAL learners have not actually seen what it is that is expected of them then it is very hard for them to produce it, no matter how clear the instructions are, they simply need examples.

How to recycle vocabulary?

Ask them the same concept checking questions and questions that will trigger use of the new vocabulary frequently and at spaced intervals to aid memory retention. Use homework as another means to ensure repetition as well as starters and plenaries. Simple traditional word games are ideal ways to recycle vocabulary quickly and easily.

Can you set work for ESL students?

Remember, you can set work for ESL students that is on a completely different topic. If a student is really new to English then it may be really difficult for you to differentiate your lesson for them and it may be more beneficial for them if you have them working on a different topic which they can more easily make progress in. ESL students need to feel progress in order to maintain their confidence levels and continue being up beat in lessons.

Build Fluency

Focus on Individual Needs

Provide High-Interest Engagement

Model

• How you talk in your lessons, when both focusing on instruction and relating with your students, will increase their language ability. Speak slowly and clearly so that the ESL student will understand. Choose words that are easier for them to grasp. Use visuals whenever possible so that students can also read the directions at the same time. Teachin...

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