6 Ways to Help Quiet Students Speak Up

Every classroom has its fair share of quiet students, and it’s all too easy for them to fade into the background. Quiet students tend not to participate in group discussions, but always deliver their homework on time. Clearly it’s not that they don’t know the answer–they just lack the confidence to express themselves in front of others. In one study, a staggering 1 in 5 school-age girls admitted to avoiding raising their hand in class so as not to draw attention to their appearance. This needs to change, and teachers can help. Here are 6 ways to encourage quiet students to speak up.

1. Divide the class into small groups. Creating small discussion groups is a great way for quieter students to give their opinion in an environment that they feel more comfortable in. Speaking in front of a whole classroom or a larger group can be intimidating, but the option to discuss ideas in a different type of setting could encourage quieter students to get their point of view across and their voice heard. Group activities are a great way to get students out of their comfort zones and promote participation.

2. Use technology to ask questions. The traditional and most common way that teachers ask their students questions is often a raised hand to answer exercise. However, often this is not the most engaging or encouraging way for quiet students to contribute in class. The louder or more confident students typically dominate these types of situations, which then makes it increasingly hard for others to speak up.

3. Allow students to write down their ideas on paper. Alternatively, giving children a traditional pen and paper option to jot down answers to questions during discussions or workshops allows everyone to be included. While some students can easily share ideas verbally, some prefer written communication and can explain themselves better in that way.

4. Acknowledge student input in class. Recognizing and giving praise to shy students when they speak up in class shows that you have noticed their efforts, and this can give students a confidence boost and try to reduce their fear of giving their opinions. It is probably best to do this in a way that does not make them the center of attention. See if you can catch them after class for a moment of encouragement, or perhaps leave a note on their next graded assignment praising their participation.

5. Allow students to move around. Not one student is the same, so having a highly structured teaching style where you only talk to the class may not work for all your students. A way to combat this is to allow students to walk around the classroom, do activities that support collaboration and explore different methods of teaching. Some students may be quiet in lessons, but in a less formal and structured atmosphere they are able to thrive and feel much more comfortable to express themselves. Allowing quieter students to sit next to people that they are more relaxed around may help them get over the fear of talking in front of the class.

6. Build a meaningful relationship between you and your students. Trust is the key to building a solid foundation, and for the more introverted students, it can be beneficial to have a good rapport with the teacher so that they feel more comfortable to speak up. Research has shown that listening to your students is critical in the development of the student/teacher relationship. It helps students feel connected to school, cared for, and in turn motivated to learn. Holding reflections sessions or allowing some extra time when you can talk and communicate with your students one-on-one allows them the opportunity to express any problems they may have inside or outside of school and will make them feel more acknowledged.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services