Students ought to be engaged in their courses. If they are not participating, teaching can become twice as difficult as it needs to be. Encouraging students to speak in class is often an instructor’s most difficult challenge. Students that take an active role in classroom discussion take interest in the course material, and speaking to an audience prepares students for their academic and professional lives as speakers, thinkers and listeners.
Figuring out why almost any student — extroverted, introverted, shy and so on — can be hesitant to speak up is crucial in deciding what to do about it. Often times, students will have a hard time responding to authority. Other times, students might just be naturally shy or introverted. Working with these students can be challenging, but there are several solutions to breaking the silence in a classroom setting.