Why We Need to Speak Up in Class

Reciting in class is scary, even if you do know the answer to your teacher's question. For instance, your teacher or professor might ask you a follow-up question which you have no idea how to respond to. When this happens, you get a nagging feeling at the back of your head that maybe it was best if you did not just speak up in class.

I've had my fair share of giving embarrassing answers. But I have realized that whenever I speak up in class, I learn something more, that is, my teacher is given a chance to expound on my answer, whether it's correct or otherwise, simple or complex. As such, a short phrase from me leads to a five- to ten-minute discussion.

Most students say that they don't speak up in class because they're afraid that their answers may be wrong. Good teachers often do not care that you have given an incorrect reply (as long as it's not a glaring mistake, of course). What matters to them is that you've tried.

Reciting in class also does not mean that you only answer direct questions; it likewise involves giving opinions, whether for or against, on certain issues. When you speak up in class, you add fuel to a fire of new knowledge---debates start and your classmates take sides. Everyone speaks up for their convictions and a school day finishes with students having learned a lot more.

Another reason for not speaking up in class is that some students might think that you're trying to be the teacher's pet. It's hard not to be affected by bullying, but try not to let bullies get to you and to your desire to learn. After all, you'll be the one getting good grades and learning new things.

Aside from being labeled a teacher's pet, you can also be called a nerd or a geek. Stuff like these can stick for a long time, but when you get to college and on to the real world, you'll realize that maybe being a nerd wasn't that bad after all.

The key to reciting more in class is to be more confident about yourself. When you're sure of your answer, and even if you're a bit doubtful, go for it. If you get it wrong and you hear some giggles, well, we all need a few laughs and bumps to get something right.

Furthermore, when you speak up in class about your beliefs on certain topics, do so with much gusto. Believing in something and having the guts to talk about it in class is highly commendable. It is rare to have people speak up but those who do are motivating those who are scared to do so.

So the next time your teacher asks you a question, speak up in class. Do not be afraid to be wrong. It is highly improbable that class valedictorians, summa cum laudes, and even the world's top doctors and lawyers have not made mistakes while they were still students.