Author: Deb Bullock | Published on 1 February 2024
Question: How can I encourage my learners to speak English without saying ‘Speak English!’ all the time?
Answer: Try recasting.
Recasting is repeating in English what the learner has said in their own language (L1) without any negative comments.
Example
Learner (in Yoruba): Mi o ni ikọwe. (= I don’t have a pencil)
Teacher: Do you need a pencil? Who has a pencil for Abioye?
You can also use recasting to change what the learner has said in English into better English.
Example
Learner: Me no understand.
Teacher: OK, so you don’t understand what to do.
Which class are you going to try recasting with?