Are your speaking classes falling flat? Discover why simplifying your slides and minimizing text can turn silence into conversation. Plus, learn about our ready-to-use PDF materials for teachers.
We’ve all been there. You’ve spent hours creating the perfect PowerPoint or PDF for your English speaking class. The grammar is correct, the vocabulary is rich, and you’ve included plenty of examples.
You put the slide up on the screen, and the class goes silent.
Not because they are thinking, but because they are reading. Their eyes are scanning the text, their brains are processing the words, and their mouths are firmly shut.
If this sounds familiar, it’s time to rethink your approach to digital materials. Here is my philosophy on what an English Speaking Course PDF should look like to actually get students talking.
1. Keep Slides Painfully Simple
When it comes to speaking classes, less is definitely more. Your slides should be the scaffolding for the conversation, not the conversation itself.
If a slide looks like a dense textbook page, students will instinctively try to “study” it rather than “speak” it. They will focus on reading comprehension rather than verbal communication. This defeats the entire purpose of a speaking class.
The Rule: If it takes longer to read the slide than it does to say “Hello,” it’s too long. Use bullet points, keywords, and visuals.
2. Escape the “Black Hole” of Text
Why do students focus on reading instead of speaking? Because reading is safe. It’s passive. Speaking is active and vulnerable.
When there is a lot of text on a slide, introverted or hesitant students will hide behind the words. They will read the text verbatim if called upon, or they will just stare at it until the teacher moves on.
The Solution: Use prompts, not paragraphs. A single question like “What is your favorite food?” is infinitely better than a paragraph describing the history of a specific dish. Let the students use their own words to fill in the gaps.
3. Timing is Everything: 20-25 Slides for 25 Minutes
You might think 20 slides in 25 minutes sounds like rushing, but in a speaking class, it’s the sweet spot. You need enough slides to guide the direction of the conversation, but not so many that you feel pressured to skip discussions.
By using 20-25 slides for a 25-minute class, you allow for:
- Introduction: 2-3 slides.
- Core Discussion: 10-15 slides.
- Wrap-up: 2-3 slides.
This structure ensures you always have a “next move.” If a conversation dies down, you simply click to the next slide to get things rolling again. It keeps the class dynamic and prevents the dreaded lulls.
4. The Magic of “Multiple Choice” (And How to Break It)
Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are a staple of ESL materials, but they can be dangerous. They often lead to students just saying “A,” “B,” or “C.”
To use MCQs effectively, remember this rule:
- Sometimes there is only one correct answer (e.g., grammar/vocabulary checks).
- Sometimes, all answers are correct (e.g., “Which hobby is the best: A) Reading, B) Sports, C) Traveling?”). Every student will have a different preference, and the “right” answer depends on the individual.
- Sometimes, students don’t like any of the options—and that is great! If a student wants to talk about painting instead of the options provided, encourage it.
The Golden Rule of Follow-ups:
No matter what the student says, your job is to ask a follow-up question.
- If they choose “A,” ask “Why?”
- If they choose “B,” ask “How often do you do that?”
- If they choose something else entirely, ask “Oh, that’s interesting! Tell me more about that.”
5. The 2-Second Rule
The ultimate goal of an ideal English speaking class is a room with no silence longer than 2 seconds.
This doesn’t mean you should pressure students; it means you should be prepared. If a student finishes their thought, you (or another student) should have a follow-up ready to go.
This is where good materials shine. A great PDF doesn’t just ask “Do you like coffee?”—it asks “Do you like coffee? Why or why not? What do you put in it?”
By having these layered questions prepared on the slides or in your teacher’s notes, you ensure the conversation keeps flowing.
Ready to Stop Making Slides and Start Teaching?
Designing the perfect speaking class slides takes hours. You have to think of the prompts, check the vocabulary, and still leave room for student creativity.
If you are tired of spending your weekends creating materials and want to focus on actually teaching, we have a solution for you. We provide professionally designed English speaking course PDFs that follow all these rules:
- Simple, minimalist slides.
- Low text, high engagement.
- Pre-prepared follow-up questions for every scenario.
- Perfectly paced at 20-25 slides per lesson.
If you would like to know more about our PDF materials, click here.
What are your biggest challenges with keeping students talking? Let me know in the comments below!