Why Students Don’t Participate In Class

There are a number of reasons why students may not participate in class discussions or raise their hands when they have questions. Many students fear they will look silly, nervous, or less smart if they get the answer wrong—and their classmates will judge them for it.

Many students feel that keeping quiet and listening to the class discuss concepts is the safer option. However, participating in class is an important part of developing communication skills and understanding class material.

It takes time and practice, but there are many strategies students can use to make speaking up in class easier.

Read on to learn about why it’s important for students to participate in class, and how you can encourage your child to join in on more class discussions. 

Participate in Class: It’s Important!

Why is it important for students to participate in class? Firstly, participating in class discussions improves your child’s comprehension of the material. It can also help them become more invested in the class material. Comparing other students’ opinions on the material to their own will encourage your child to think about the course concepts more critically, helping improve comprehension.

Class participation also develops your child’s communication skills. Communication skills are very important in the upper years of schooling when he or she will have to discuss ideas and collaborate with others. The more your child decides to participate in class, the more these skills will develop.

Students who participate in discussions show their teachers that they’re prepared and interested in class concepts. These students tend to score higher in class participation and communication skills on their report cards.

Four Reasons Students Struggle With Class Participation

1. They Fear Saying The Wrong Answer. Many students will not speak up in class because they fear that other students will judge them if they have the wrong answer. They worry their answers are incorrect, and other students will question their intelligence. Though this fear is understandable, it shouldn’t get in the way of participating in class.
   
2. They Don’t Think They Have Anything Valuable To Contribute. Another reason some students don’t speak up in class is that they feel other students’ opinion matter more. They feel that their own perspective on the material isn’t very valuable so there’s no point in sharing. This feeling often stems from insecurity or social anxiety. These students need to understand that adding to the conversation only makes for a more meaningful discussion.
   
3. They’re Unprepared. It’s every students’ biggest nightmare—being called on in class to discuss course material when they’re unprepared. Students will never participate in class discussions if they don’t know what the class is talking about.
   
4. They Fear Public Speaking. The fear of public speaking is very common among students of all ages. They are often worried that their classmates will judge them if they appear nervous or if they lose their train of thought.

Adressing These Concerns: How to Help

1. Wrong Answers: Help your child learn that it’s okay to get an answer wrong! The goal of speaking up and asking questions in class is to get a better understanding of the material. You can help your child become more comfortable with not knowing everything by normalizing it at home. Speak openly about questions you don’t have answers to or times you’ve been wrong in the past. Your child will see that not knowing every answer is something that happens to everyone—and he or she doesn’t have to stress about it.
   
2. Nothing to Contribute: Help build your child’s confidence by asking for his or her opinion. This can mean asking your child which type of cereal the family should purchase at the grocery store or asking what to have for dinner. Be sure to communicate with your child that you know he or she is smart and that’s why you came to him or her for advice!
   
3. Being Unprepared: if your child takes school seriously and wants to succeed, the issue might be that they are overwhelmed. Your child may have too much on their plate and be unable to keep up with the workload. If this is the case, sit down with your child and work out a study schedule. Work with your child to prioritize important tasks and offer him or her your love and support. If your child doesn’t seem to take school seriously, check in and talk about future goals. Make sure they know that doing well in school is important when it comes to taking advantage of future opportunities like scholarships and college admission.
   
4. Public Speaking: Encourage your child to increase class participation slowly, one answer or ideas at a time. Try writing thoughts out and reading them out rather than worrying about losing train of thought. You child can also they are speaking only to the teacher rather than the whole class.
   
   

Discussing Concepts Is Easier When You’re Confident

If a student is confident in their understanding of the material, it will be much easier sharing their thoughts with the class. Learn more about the different programs at GradePower Learning and see the difference tutoring can make for your child’s confidence and school motivation today!