What are strategies to help encourage a reticent student to engage in conversation?
A new English B'Yachad tutor shared that her new student practicing English conversation answers her questions with just a few words. As she continued her questions to keep the conversation going, she began to feel more like an interrogator than a conversational partner.
We all know that speaking in another language can be a scary and intimidating experience. Learning a language is not just about speaking – it’s also about listening comprehension, reading, writing, and speaking. If you as the tutor are doing more speaking than your student in your first sessions, don't fret. Learning is still taking place.
That being said, there are many strategies to try to engage your students and break the barriers to speaking. Here are a few ideas:
1. Start with positive reinforcement and praise.
… “my student could hardly talk or write in the beginning. The most critical thing is to praise and reinforce any efforts they make. If you show them you believe in them, they flower.”
2. Pick familiar topics for conversation.
Choose topics that are comfortable and easy for your student to talk about. For example, learn the names of kids, pets, spouses, friends, and parents, and ask your students about the people in their lives from time to time.
…”I’ve always asked about my students’ family’s stories, particularly about when they immigrated. I’ve also asked about siblings, where they live, and what they do.”
3. Use conversation starters.
..."Ask your student what interests him or her. Our Tutor Hub’s Spoken English category includes this web resource that provides an exhaustive list of topics with question prompts for conversation."
4. Share your personal stories and experiences.
..."share an example of when you felt uncomfortable about making a mistake related to learning a language or some other new skill and how you worked through that."
These are just some of the ways to engage your students and encourage them to speak with confidence.
Does this blog interest you? Find more content on our blog on a variety of topics for tutoring adults in English as a second language. This blog is presented by English B'Yachad, the flagship program of Skilled Volunteers for Israel. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with English B'Yachad, visit our website.
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