What should teachers do if they have a student that is so shy that he/she fears speaking to them?

Answer 1

we write notes- literally
I have prewritten questions with Y or N answers and room for a question. [4x6 index cards] that are in the room and any student can fill them out and I address the issue at the end of class or the next class. Its on a label on the front of the card and the back lined area is for the written part.

We take a two breaks and that is the time they can get them or drop them off and I address it before we get into the lesson again.
OR if they want a consult we do it after class. asap.

Example:
Did you understand the lesson____ today? Y N
What confused you or needs more details?
Do you have an idea or suggestion to make it better?



I have found this technique works best. I have a round disc red/green red=no and green=yes its on a paddle.
Every student has one on their desk and during lessons I "test the water" and ask, SO do you get this ? Green 80% I go on and step back and reclaim and redo some information until I get a 90%. If it is 60/40 or 50/50- we start over with a different approach. That's not acceptable to me.


So by the time homework assignment time rolls around, I know what cluster to put them in, and at what point they "lost track" of that lesson. Its very rewarding!

I honestly got the idea from eating dinner at a fancy restaurant, green means more and red means stop.

So what grade do I teach? Elementary ed you might think....
No- I teach adults. Its a fun class and everyone leaves there smarter and wiser. Anatomy & Physiology. a hard one too.!

Answer 2

I am an ESL teacher and I get many students like that.
I use patience, kindness and gently encouragement. Do not say they are great or good. Instead, tell them they are do well when they speak out. Say, "That's very good. Nice answer." or other gentle encouragement. Never point them out when everyone else will stop and look at him/her. Try to have them talk when the class is focused on a reading or writing project. If you are patient and kind, these students will respond to you.

Answer 3

You have to give it time and talk to the parents to find out why the child is so shy. Maybe child had some bad things happen to him/her or parents are going thru divorce or a family member died. When you find out the source, you may be able to talk with the student & get them to open up. Let student know you care.

Answer 4

Well this is in my point of view. i am only 12 years old though. A student that is shy will open up to you if you make them laugh while your teaching or say "Good mourning!" in a friendly voice. Pretty soon then won't be shy anymore.

Answer 5

Ask questions to your students by order of seating arrangement. This way you are not singling them out. Keep a light attitude and encourage imaginative responses. Ask them about their hobbies. Ask them then how it then applies to something you are teaching. For example, ask how much time do they spend in a week doing what they enjoy. You just need something to break the ice, without putting pressure on them to open up.
"When a warm hand touches a cold heart, the intitial response is to pull it back. But imagine what the cold heart feels."
All I am saying is don't give up. Its nice to know that people care, even if we won't admit it.

Answer 6

have all students give an answer each day/week, just to get them talking, and then continue doing so and ask for a longer answer. or talk to the idividuals singly once every so often to become more friendly and to get the student out of his\her shyness and onto a more outgoing personality

Answer 7

Don't draw attention to the student in front of his/her piers. When ever you do talk to the student, use every opportunity to praise any accomplishment and build self esteem.

Answer 8

try to be more tolerant and always smiling