I am not so sure about the second. When we are having a communicative activity, they are shy and there are few who dare to speak. Monika Bereczky, Hungary Question 1 I am teaching students who are preparing to be Primary School teachers. They seem to be reluctant to speak and prepare speaking activities. One of the features of this course is that students are trained in the language they need, given examples and then asked to plan and give oral presentations.
Oral production is difficult for psychological, social and linguistic reasons.
Cutting Edge' trains students to plan both 'what to say' and 'how to say it' and practice before their presentations. You also need to create an atmosphere in the classroom in which 'attempts to communicate' are encouraged more than 'mistakes' are discouraged. Don't interrupt and correct your students while they are speaking. Keep silent and make notes of the errors. After the presentation congratulate and thank the students before you consider the errors.