Speaking

We have to take into consideration the follow:

• If the subject is relevant and interesting.
• If he students already know about or are provided with information to give substance to the topic. 
• If they feel motivated to talk about it. 
• If they feel that they really want to say something, there is a good chance of something interesting happening.

Suggestion: Use open questions

     Keep in mind the use of picky WH- questions (Where, Why, When, What, How, Who) rather than Yes-No questions in order to increase the student´s talk. MONITOR PARTICIPATION LEVELS Make sure that all the learners have chance to participate, remember that your main role is to structure the talk and then to check them. Remember that the less you talk, the more students talk. 

Invite people in

 

     A good way to invite learners to get into a conversation is using provocative questions. When you see that there is a student who is quiet, you have to address him so that he can be part of the talk. You have to be patient after you make a question till students give opinions because they need a time to formulate ideas.

Play Devil's Advocate

 

     When it is appropriate, take deliberately an opposing or contrasting viewpoint in order to spur on conversation

Ways to start a lively discussion

• Prepare a small talk at the beginning of the lesson: here the whole class chats about recent events.

• Write a controversial topic on the board: group your students to discuss it.

• Pairs of learners are given different pictures. Then, they start to compare their views about them.

• Everyone is given a name of a famous person: learners keep in secret the given name. Then, they start to walk around the classroom, meeting, chatting and answering questions about recent events.