How to Motivate Young Learners Speak Confidently?

While there are kids inside the classroom who are overly confident in engaging into class discussions, it is sad though that kids who are shy to interact during lectures and class discussions do exist. This is one of the most challenging parts inside the classroom because learning is a two-way process. The teacher only facilitates and should not spoon-feed everything to the students. Students must learn how to think deep and must exercise derivation of concepts from one concept to another; but, this is only possible if the students have the confidence to speak up and to express what is on their mind. This article will help you find a solution whenever you encounter young learners who lack self-esteem.

Here are some of the major ways on how to motivate young learners to speak with confidence inside the classroom:

Be welcoming always

Although we are now in the new era of education, teachers are still labeled as “terror”, which literally means, terrorizing kids who do not perform well inside the classroom. In this case, if the student cannot process the details of the lecture, the teacher should never close his doors on welcoming ideas from the student after failing to give the correct answer. This is one way to motivate them, instead of saying “no”, why not say encouraging words like, “Try again” or “You are almost there”. This will give the students a sense of appreciation to their effort even if they did not hit the correct answer.

Reassure and reaffirm them

Validations that come from the teachers are very fundamental in building the confidence of the students in their early years at school. It will shape their values and confidence to themselves as they take their journey as students. The reassurance and reaffirmation that come from the teacher oftentimes lead to a promising future of the students because they gradually built trust to their potentials and skills to become a great professional someday. That is why, when you encourage the students to speak inside the classroom and they show evidence of self-doubt, do not scold them, do not scare them, instead, tell them that, “You can do it” or “Just give it a try. Don’t be afraid”. It will raise a sense of logical learning that comes from trial-and-error which is applicable in anything and in everything.

Reward them

Creating a healthy competition inside the classroom is yes, indeed a healthy way to encourage kids to bring out the best in them. You can set a reward in a specific milestone or achievement the student attained. In this way, they will reach out; they will strive harder and do everything that it takes to get that reward including confidently speaking inside the classroom. But, this strategy should be explained to them properly to avoid misconception of your goal for them. Kids will always understand if things are explained to them properly.

Be fair at all times

Teachers tend to have favorites inside the classroom. While it makes the “favorite” feel good, it will definitely devastate the “not favorites” inside the classroom. Later on, they would prefer not speaking anymore because their minds are already set that they will never be liked anyway. Thus, be fair. Give compliments if they deserve one but make sure to give disciplinary actions if they also deserve one. This will make everything feel neutral and nobody is superior over the other.

Love them

Love surpasses everything. If you are passionate to motivate them all the time and all the way, there will be no hindrances to achieve what you have designed for them. In the long run, books might teach concepts but only a heart that beats in compassion will teach values – values that will always be validating.

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