Practical Proficiency Podcast · Devon Gunning | La Libre Language Learning

#40 - 8 Ways to Lower Student Anxiety in World Language Class

·23 min

Devon opens by inviting listeners to send in their questions for future episodes. He then moves into the main topic: how to lower anxiety in a world language classroom. He starts with the problem of a quiet class and weak engagement. His first question is simple: what kinds of responses is the teacher actually building into the lesson? He says whole-class questions can work, but only after students already know the routine. Before that, he recommends more partner work. One option is to ask the class a question and have students turn and tell a partner the answer. If the classroom culture allows it, he also suggests letting students choose a partner. That small shift can make speaking feel less exposed. He takes the same idea into groups as well. In the early months of level 1 or level 2, he recommends putting students together and giving them time to think through the response. The goal is not speed. It is to let them talk, write, and puzzle through the language with less pressure. He also points to a research-based general education strategy: scheduled one-on-one check-ins. Teachers in his office hours often raise the same concern about quiet classes, and he says check-ins before grading periods are one concrete way to help students feel seen. The logic stays consistent throughout the segment. Less social pressure usually means more willingness to participate. He frames the job as lowering the emotional barrier, not lowering the expectation for language use. The advice stays practical and classroom-centered rather than abstract, and it keeps coming back to simple structures teachers can adapt to their own context.

As heard by us

Useful ideas for lowering anxiety without lowering language expectations.

The piece offers grounded coaching for world language teachers who want proficiency-focused instruction to work in real classrooms. It points to concrete moves that can be used right away: start with pairs, move students into groups, and keep planned one-on-one check-ins in the…

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Why you'd press play

Lower the pressure before you ask for more language.

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