| dc.description.abstract | Educators, at times, encounter situations when they ask students questions after teaching, only to be met with silence, or when they assign group exercises or activities and students do not respond to their instructions for what feels like an extended period. These moments of silence can be discouraging; however, it is crucial to recognise that silence does not necessarily indicate students’ disinterest or lack of understanding or participation. The reasons why students remain silent in the classroom are multifaceted. Some students may not feel comfortable expressing themselves verbally in a classroom setting, while others may have low confidence or struggle with non-native English proficiency. Additionally, some students may have difficulty making sense of the instruction or task, or need more time to think (Ollin, 2008). All these factors can contribute to a lack of student engagement and active participation in class activities and necessitate a different approach to listening and interpreting the meaning conveyed in silence (Lave & Wenger, 1991). | en_US |
