ELT365 · Day 192 — Dealing with Silence

Idea — Silence in a speaking task is not always a problem. It may signal thinking or genuine engagement. Diagnose before intervening.

Example — A three-second pause before a complex question is processing time, not failure. Jumping in too fast removes that time — and the learning.

Try — Set a speaking task. Commit to waiting five seconds before intervening when a learner goes quiet. Note how often they resume without help.

Independent project; not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Confers no qualification.