Is it confidence, mastery or attitude that stops you?

Assalamualaikum dear bloggers. In today's entry, I wanna share the experience that I had when I was (still am, and forever will Insya'allah...) in the classroom with my students.

Among the students which I taught, I am known as 'The Lecturer Who Does Crazy Things'. It is actually true because I like to do activities that make the students think, discuss and speak English. And sometimes sing. In my personal point of view, by making ourselves comfortable with something that we are not used to, will help us to feel better about it. And that is what I am trying to do with my students. I just want them to feel comfortable and not feeling awkward when they are using the language.

I realize that not all students have good command of English. And on top of that, there are a lot of the students who are very afraid to speak when they were asked to do so. Especially when they have to use English as the medium of communication.

To be good in doing something, we need to be able to feel good doing it. We need to acquire comfortability (is there such a word...hahaha). By making ourselves comfortable, it will be easier for us to do what we have to. For example, when we go to a new place where the environment and culture are different from our hometown, it takes us some time to fit into the community and to perform our daily routine. This is simply because the way things work there is not the same. Therefore, the first few weeks will makes us feel a bit awkward and a bit uncomfortable. And what happen is that we may get into some troubles or making mistakes, which is very normal.

The same goes in acquiring and learning a language. English for example, is a language that is not being used by many in our society. Therefore, it is some thing that people are not comfortable in. If we are not comfortable and always feel bad about using the language, it is almost impossible for us to be able to be good in it.

So, that is why I make this environment in my classroom. I want all my students to feel that using English is actually something good and comfortable. I am not going to focus on grammar and else, as long as my students are able to use the language confidently. And when I see this happens, it is the greatest feeling to me.     It's the most satisfying moment and all the hard work seems to be very worthy.

BUT, there are still students who are not using English as much as some other students. And this makes me wonder why... I am never gonna be mad if their English is broken because, it is not a day's work to develop such skill. But what's worrying me is that, some are very hard to try...not even trying. And this actually is very-very frustrating. It makes me wonder... What is it that stops these students from trying to improve themselves? Is it confidence, mastery or their attitude? Hurmmm... I need opinion...