Challenges of speaking and ways to overcome them with your students

As an ESL teacher, one of the most common concerns my students share is the challenge of speaking fluently and confidently in English. The tests are showing there is nothing that stops them from using complex grammar structures or/and lexical tricks we learned, however, when it comes to speaking, most of them are struggling.

Speaking, unlike other language skills, requires immediate processing and production, which can feel daunting for learners. This is not an easy skill to control like writing, where you have enough time to think, come back and change something and simply rewrite it. 

In this article, I’ll explore some common obstacles students face when developing their speaking skills and share practical strategies to help them overcome these challenges.

Many students hesitate to speak because they fear making grammatical errors or mispronunciations. This fear can lead to avoidance, where students prefer to remain silent rather than risk embarrassment.

It is my and your goal to make our students comfortable during the lesson and allow them to make mistakes. Otherwise how else will they learn?

A restricted range of vocabulary often leaves students struggling to express their thoughts. They might know what they want to say but lack the words to convey it effectively. 

Sometimes students may have a lot of words in their passive arsenal, still lack of practice and active usage of them (words) can lead to producing common words while speaking on different topics.

Pronunciation can be a major hurdle for ESL learners. Regional accents, unfamiliar sounds, and intonation patterns in English can make students self-conscious.

Some students feel they lack the necessary skills to speak English well, which lowers their confidence and willingness to engage in conversations. That problem correlates with the previous 2 challenges.

Native speakers often talk quickly, making it difficult for learners to keep up. This can discourage students from participating in real-world conversations.

Focusing excessively on grammar rules while speaking can slow down a student’s ability to communicate and interrupt their natural flow of speech.

Speaking in front of a group, whether peers or strangers, can trigger anxiety. This is particularly true for students who are naturally introverted.

No matter how big this problem is, there are some tricks that can help to boost student`s confidence as well as allow them finally to speak up.

Create a Safe and Supportive Environment

Foster a classroom atmosphere where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities. Encourage students to speak without fear of judgment.

Imagine you are approaching a scared puppy. You wouldn`t do it in a harsh and angry way, you would do it nice and soft, without judgment and anger.

Expand Vocabulary Gradually

Help students build their vocabulary with thematic word sets and phrases.

Focus on practical, everyday language they can use immediately. Encourage the use of flashcards, vocabulary apps, and contextual practice in real-life scenarios.

Integrate Pronunciation Practice

Include regular pronunciation exercises, such as repeating tongue twisters, practicing minimal pairs, or listening to and mimicking native speakers.

Online tools like pronunciation apps or phonetic charts can also be helpful. Get some fun with it to create the relaxed atmosphere which I mentioned earlier.

Role-Playing and Simulations

Engage students in role-plays that mimic real-life situations like ordering food, booking a hotel, or attending a job interview.

Encourage Active Listening

 Listening is the foundation of speaking.

Use Group and Pair Work

Speaking in smaller groups or pairs reduces pressure and allows students to practice more frequently.

Peer-to-peer interaction can help shy students open up and develop their speaking skills gradually.

Focus on Fluency Over Accuracy

Initially, prioritize fluency over grammatical correctness. Once students are comfortable expressing themselves, you can gently introduce corrections to refine their speech.

However, don’t forget to mention some good examples which will definitely encourage your students. Offering constructive feedback on areas like pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.

Highlighting what students are doing well and providing specific suggestions for improvement. Avoid overwhelming them with too many corrections at once.

Incorporate Games and Interactive Activities

Games like "20 Questions", "Taboo", or "Story Chain" make speaking practice fun and engaging. These activities lower students’ anxiety and encourage spontaneous use of language.

Overcoming Anxiety

Learning to manage nervousness is key to effective communication. Techniques like deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and positive self-talk can help students feel more at ease.

Channeling nervous energy into enthusiasm often leads to more dynamic and engaging speech.

This exercise shifts their focus to a sensory experience, engaging the creative side of their brain and leaving less room for anxiety.

By practicing this approach regularly, students learn to redirect their nervousness and speaking tasks with greater confidence.

Encourage Self-Reflection

Ask students to record their speaking practice and listen to it critically. This helps them identify their strengths and areas for improvement while tracking their progress over time.

Organize debates on age-appropriate topics or current events. Discussions encourage critical thinking and allow students to practice articulating their opinions. 

It is important to stay up-to-date, otherwise it might be simply not interesting. Act like a spy agent to find out during your classes what drives your students.

Storytelling activities enhance creativity and coherence. Provide prompts or picture sequences to guide students in crafting and narrating their stories.

Have students describe objects, people, or places. This builds their ability to use adjectives and expand on details.

Pair students to conduct interviews with each other. 

This can be adapted for various themes, such as hobbies, travel experiences, or future goals. Provide a list of questions or even let students come up with their own ones.

Assign short, informal presentations on topics of interest. This helps students organize their thoughts and practice speaking in front of a group. 

I love doing that for my Business English class. Sometimes informal presentations might be more complex than the formal ones.

Incorporate pictures, videos, or props to stimulate conversation. Visual aids provide context and help students brainstorm ideas for speaking. 

That is why it is important to have a presentation ready for your lessons.

Developing speaking skills is a gradual process that requires patience, practice, and encouragement. 

By understanding the challenges students face and implementing strategies to address them, ESL teachers can help learners become confident and competent communicators.

Celebrate those small victories and continue fostering an environment where speaking is not only a skill but a joy to practice.