Read the following comments from foreign language students, in which they describe how they feel about speaking in oral classes. The first six are final-year students, numbers 7-14 are second years, and the rest are first years.

1. Which activities are the most and least popular? Draw up a list of students' likes and dislikes.
2. Do you see any conflicts between what they say and your own teaching principles?
3. What would you do if you encountered students with similar views in your classes?

1. I still find it quite difficult sometimes, even after my year abroad. I often find myself pausing and waiting to be corrected. I like discussions, but I find the texts difficult to read and sometimes presented in a boring way.
2. I felt really good after spending a year abroad, but now my confidence has slipped again. I enjoy watching videos, discussions about things that affect us, and just gossip too - it helps to relax everyone.
3. I need lots of practice. I like debates, interesting and challenging, opportunity to express an opinion. I don't like it that nobody else seems to want to speak. It is ridiculous.
4. Discussions are good, but often difficult if we are discussing a subject that we know little about. Class debates are a good way of encouraging a natural flow of conversation, in a 'real' context, and getting everyone to contribute. More time to practise pronunciation would be helpful.
5. I think I tend to hesitate quite a bit when I speak. My mind tends to go blank under pressure. I hate speaking in front of a group, especially if I don't know anything about the topic.
6. I am fairly confident but find the pronunciation of certain words difficult. Also I tend to think in English before translating it into French when I am speaking. I enjoy discussion about contemporary issues where we can express our opinions, and take a lively part!
7. I am more proficient at listening and writing. We did an exercise where we had to make up a story by choosing pictures and then tell it to everyone. We did it in pairs and that was good.
8. I'm OK, but I lack confidence which means I get flustered and make daft mistakes.
9. I don't feel that proficient - I feel that I can discuss certain issues, but not carry out a general conversation. I like discussing issues because you can increase the vocabulary and it is more interesting. I don't like filling in gaps for poetry, or reading Astérix le Gaulois.
10. I make more errors in speaking than in reading and writing. I don't like debates as I feel more pressured. Informal conversations are more fun. Working with a video is good too.
11. Having spent a year living in France I feel that I am fairly proficient. I particularly like group work - fairly amusing and relaxed.
12. I can speak fairly fluently, but I am very inaccurate. I hate games - I feel much more could be learnt from discussions. Debates are probably the best activities, or discussions on modern themes. At least then everybody has something to say and has an opinion.
13. I enjoy talking about our weekends / hobbies, etc, because it is relaxed and informal. I also like doing very specific topics, because I feel that I gain a lot of vocab by doing these.
14. I am gaining confidence but often trying to think of words can be difficult whilst speaking. I like games, listening and commenting on ideas, TV programmes and music, because it is interesting. Presentations are good for practice but can be a bit nerve-wracking.
15. I would like to be able to feel more comfortable with the language. I love any type of conversation. The trouble is, not everyone is interested in the subject, or they lack confidence, and they tend not to say anything - it's annoying!
16. I prepare to know what a discussion is to be about in advance, so that I can prepare. I feel under pressure and discouraged from speaking when we are asked open questions [meaning, I think, spontaneous questions on unknown topics, author]. I don't feel that these classes are a good way of measuring potential - from the first class I felt I wasn't at the same level as everybody else, however, I feel able to participate now.
17. Not as proficient as I feel in writing. Spontaneity is something I have to work on; rather than trying to make sure everything is grammatically spot on. A focus for the sessions (theme or something) makes them go more smoothly - and open-ended questions make everyone clam up.
18. I don't feel so confident when speaking, although it isn't embarrassing to make a mistake (friendly class, with my mates, good teacher). I don't like presentations because you are exposed to other students, and everybody sees your mistakes.
19. Activities expressing opinions are the most interesting. Involves whole group, not just one or two individuals.
20. I'm fairly proficient, but there are quite a lot of things I can't say. I like talking about things as a group - I think it helps me to improve.