As part of our ongoing discussion of how to engage students and get them to talk, this week we would like to discuss the topic of allowing time. Fluency is being able to communicate quickly and accurately, and it takes quite a bit of work to get to the point that you’re fluent in a second language. Our students are all on the way to becoming fluent in English, but they aren’t there yet! Giving students the time to think about their answers before they reply to a question or comment is important at this point of language development. Rushing them or being impatient may discourage them from trying to communicate, and as well all know, creating a space conducive to risk-taking (with language, at least!) is an important part of helping students to learn.
Next time you communicate with a student, look at how much time you give them to reply. Is it enough? Should you wait a little longer?