Có nhiều người nghĩ rằng giáo viên dạy Speaking phải nói thật nhiều. Nhưng thực tế thì ngược lại.
Many people believe that a Speaking teacher should do most of the talking. In reality, it's quite the opposite.
In an effective Speaking lesson, the teacher usually speaks for only about 20–30% of the class. The remaining 70–80% of the time should be given to the students because the more they speak, the more they develop natural speaking reflexes, confidence, and fluency in English.
This is especially true for learners who already have a reasonable vocabulary base, are highly motivated, and take responsibility for their own learning. At this stage, the teacher's role is no longer to lecture, but to become a mentor who guides, supports, and facilitates the learning process.
A Speaking teacher should:
✅ Provide vocabulary and useful sentence structures when needed.
✅ Ask open-ended questions to encourage students to expand their ideas.
✅ Motivate students to express their own thoughts and opinions.
✅ Create a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable speaking without fear of making mistakes.
✅ Observe carefully, listen actively, and give feedback appropriate to each student's level, avoiding excessive interruption that may break the flow of communication or reduce their confidence.
The goal of a Speaking lesson is not for the teacher to demonstrate how well they can speak English. Instead, it is to give students as many opportunities as possible to communicate, think in English, and build confidence through meaningful practice.
I'd like to share one of my student's speaking practice sessions on the topic "Pros and Cons of Using Private and Public Transportation." It is a great example of a learner taking the lead—expressing ideas, developing arguments, and practicing English communication throughout the lesson.
