Why Your ESL Student Isn’t Talking (And What To Do About It)
I came across a post on Reddit recently where an ESL teacher was venting about how her one-on-one adult students “had nothing to say.” I get the frustration, but in my experience, there’s usually more going on beneath the surface when a student is quiet.
1. Their speaking level might be low—even if their English isn’t
A lot of adult learners have spent years memorizing vocabulary, drilling grammar, reading articles, and writing short essays. But conversation is a whole different skill set. Speaking requires real-time processing: listening, understanding, forming a sentence, and then delivering it clearly. It’s a lot!
For students like this, I’ve found that modeling natural conversation through role plays really helps. Start with a simple script, practice it together, then try it again without the script. It gives them a framework to follow and builds confidence.
3. “Conversation class” still needs structure
Some students say they want a casual “conversation class,” but then go quiet after giving one-sentence answers. The truth is, conversation still needs a jumping-off point.
Personally, I overprepare—always. I like using short articles, YouTube clips, or TED Talks to give the lesson some structure. Then I mix in comprehension and opinion questions. The comprehension questions often reveal vocabulary gaps or tricky idioms, which leads to even more natural discussion. If the student’s level is lower, I’ll share the material ahead of time so we can focus more on speaking in class.
3. Confidence plays a huge role
Sometimes it’s not about ability—it’s about nerves. In these cases, your relationship with the student matters more than anything. Try to create a comfortable, judgment-free atmosphere. Share a bit about yourself, laugh at your own mistakes, and show interest in their hobbies (or at least pretend to).
For shy students, sentence completion activities work well, like fill-in-the-blanks or “finish the sentence” prompts. And when in doubt, praise more than you correct. The goal is to build them up so they feel brave enough to speak.
Final Thoughts
So the next time you have a student who clams up, ask yourself: Is it their level, the structure of the class, or their confidence? It’s rarely “just their personality.” As tutors, part of our job is figuring out what they need to feel comfortable and supported.