Is silence in classroom discussions always a bad thing?

We’re sure you’ve experienced both scenarios; there are student-led class discussions that run wild and then those where you can hear a pin drop. Of course, there’s also everything in between as well! In short, the answer to the question above is a resounding NO! Let’s take a look at why that is.

A word about silence

In a balanced class discussion, there will inevitably be moments of silence that last up to a minute or even two. Though it might feel like an eternity to most, it can be extremely productive if it is used by students to actually think about the material at hand and what is being said. Typically, (and we’re sure you’ve all been there before) when silence fills the air during a discussion, it is often quickly filled by the teacher asking follow-up questions or sharing knowledge about the topic. Most teachers tend to panic and feel the need to fill every little space up. Though this may be a natural reaction- it isn’t always the most productive one.

In reality, though this type of classroom interaction may be appropriate for some discussions, (most notably when leading students to a particular understanding of a topic), it tends to allow students ‘off the hook’ in terms of creating their own unique thoughts and ideas about the topic. Some discussions require allotted time to think between responses- give that to your students!

The benefits of silence

In our experience, students often automatically shut off if they know their teacher will fill the silence. However, if you, as the facilitator, show a little patience and wait for your students to break the silence in classroom discussions, you’ll often be thoroughly surprised and rewarded with a conversation of much greater depth- and isn’t that what we all want?

In fact, classroom-based research indicates that an increase in wait time (the time a teacher waits before jumping in) to even just 3 to 5 seconds (from the standard of 1 to 1.5) has the following benefits: 1.) increase in the length of responses 2.) increase in student-posed questions 3.) increase in unsolicited student responses 4.) increase in student-student interaction and 5.) decrease in teacher-posed questions. Pretty impressive, right? We know it takes a little time and practice on both sides- but it is well worth the effort- we promise! If you’re unsure of how to ‘wean’ your students off of relying on you to fill in the silence, you can try letting them know prior to the discussion that silence is a good thing! It means both you and your students are reflecting. Give your students some time to get on board with the concept and then run with it.

Getting back on track

Your students should know that, unless it’s absolutely necessary, you won’t come to their rescue when things go quiet. Fall back on mindfulness and accountability tactics to regroup and recapture the moment. If circumstances call for it (one of those days), intervene with pointed questions, suggestions, and ideas to re-energize the discussion.

Let them know that if it gets silent, you won’t be jumping in, but there is no need to panic. It may take a little time before everyone feels comfortable with those silences, but you’ll be amazed at what slowly unfolds when you give time and space to your students to digest and reflect on the topic before talking. We know what you’re thinking right about now! “Come on, there’s got to be moments where I’ve got to jump in, right?” Yes, absolutely- not all pauses are created equal! Sometimes, silence means students need to be asked a probing question or simply move on to a different idea.

Why is there silence in classroom discussions?

As a facilitator, note the causes of conversational breakdowns over the course of several class discussions. It is your job to consider why there is silence in the first place. Is it because the current line of thinking has been completely explored? Perhaps it’s because your students are waiting to be told what to think?  If it is the former, then you might need to ask a question that encourages students to consider a different idea or to consider their current line of thinking. If, however, students are simply being intellectually lazy or need to go back and review the material more carefully, then promoting reflection by asking another question and practicing wait time may be the most effective facilitator response. Address your observations with your students and brainstorm possible solutions together. The more you involve them in the process, the more empowered they become.

Summing it up

In a nutshell, silence during class discussions can be beneficial for so many reasons. It gives students a chance to reflect on the material being discussed and think before speaking, resulting in more meaningful and thoughtful dialogue. Additionally, it helps to foster a sense of respect amongst students, reflecting an environment of mutual understanding and appreciation. Lastly, it provides students an opportunity to listen more intently and learn from each other’s perspectives, thereby promoting deeper understanding and critical thinking. Let go of your fear of silence and remember that it can be an incredibly powerful tool in facilitating more meaningful classroom conversations.

Further Reading

Creating an Emotionally Safe Classroom for Succesful Class Discussions

How to Foster a Sense of Community with Student-Driven Class Discussions

Six Simple Formats for Powerful Class Discussions

Authentic Participation for Successful Discussions in the Classroom

The Value of Silence in Class DiscussionsStudents’ Classroom Silence and Hopelessness: The Impact of Teachers’ Immediacy on Mainstream Education