So I'm pretty well into the rhythm of teaching. Three of my four classes are fairly easy. The students are bright and willing work, and so class is not too demanding and actually rather fun.
One class, though, is rapidly becoming a nuisance. It's an unfortunate truth of Vietnamese English students that they have excellent reading skills, excellent writing skills, and at least passable listening skills.
But they cannot speak to save their lives.
Partly because they haven't had the practice. Most of them have had Vietnamese teachers, and since speaking is the hardest part they tend to skimp on that in favor of grammar and reading.
Beyond that, however, they just don't try. They won't risk being wrong. If they don't understand something they won't ask for help. They'd rather sit like in silence like zombies, hope someone else will say something, and then complain that the class is boring. I'll show them.
