In classrooms across Australia, the fear of speaking up remains one of the most persistent challenges students face. Whether it involves answering a question, presenting a project, or contributing to group discussions, public speaking can be intimidating for many children. This reluctance is often more complex than mere shyness; for some students, it is deeply rooted in student anxiety and low self-confidence. These factors can significantly hinder academic growth and social engagement, making it imperative for educators to recognise and support anxious students in meaningful ways.
Understanding Student Anxiety
Student anxiety is a growing concern in Australian schools. The 2023 State of the Nation Report revealed that 27.4% of primary school students and 35.9% of secondary students report experiencing high levels of anxiety, depression, or both.
Anxiety can present itself in various forms, including an overwhelming fear of speaking in front of peers. These fears often lead to avoidance behaviours, like skipping presentations or refusing to participate in class discussions, which can negatively impact a student’s academic trajectory and self-esteem.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing (2020–2022) further highlights the size of the issue. The study found that 38.8% of individuals aged 16–24 had experienced a mental disorder in the past year, with anxiety disorders being the most common. These figures reflect a broader societal trend and stress the importance of early intervention within schools.
The Impact of Speaking Anxiety on Learning
When students fear speaking in class, their learning experience becomes limited. Active participation is a core element of modern pedagogical approaches, from inquiry-based learning to collaborative group projects. Students who are reluctant or unable to speak miss out on opportunities to develop critical thinking, communication skills, and self-expression.
Over time, this gap in engagement can lead to lower academic performance, diminished confidence, and a disconnection from the learning community.
What’s more, anxiety around speaking can create a cycle: fear leads to avoidance, which leads to fewer opportunities to build speaking confidence, reinforcing the fear. Breaking this cycle requires intentional effort by educators to create an environment where students feel safe, supported, and gradually empowered to speak.
Building Confidence in Students
Confidence is not something all students possess innately; for many it is something cultivated over time, especially in learning environments that promote psychological safety and encouragement.
Teachers play a critical role in building this confidence. They can begin by offering consistent, positive feedback that acknowledges effort rather than just outcomes. Celebrating small wins, like a student answering a single question or speaking up in a small group can help reinforce a sense of capability.
Goal setting is another effective strategy. Encouraging students to set and achieve manageable, personalised goals provides them with tangible evidence of their progress. These goals can range from raising their hand once per lesson to co-presenting with a peer.
Encouraging self-reflection can also allow students to see their growth. Reflection journals or end-of-term reviews help students recognise how far they have come, which in turn reinforces their belief in their abilities.
How to Engage Shy Students
Engaging shy students requires empathy, flexibility, and a commitment to differentiated teaching. Not all students are comfortable speaking in front of a class, but that doesn’t mean they lack insights or ideas. Teachers must find ways to draw out their voices without causing additional stress.
Classroom routines that begin with low-pressure interactions can make a world of difference. Icebreakers, name games, or short paired conversations can help students warm up and feel more at ease. Over time, these seemingly simple activities can reduce the perceived risk of speaking.
Being observant is equally important. Teachers should take note of when and how shy students participate best and adapt their strategies accordingly. For example, a student who avoids large group discussions might thrive in small breakout groups or through written responses.
Providing alternatives to speaking tasks to the whole of class allows students to engage at their comfort level. This could include submitting a video presentation, recording their thoughts, or presenting to a smaller audience. As confidence builds, students can be gently encouraged to participate in more public formats.
Stress Management for Students
Effective stress management is key to addressing student anxiety, particularly in a school context where performance and social interaction are constant demands. Several practical strategies for managing academic stress include mindfulness, time management, and seeking support.
Mindfulness practices such as deep breathing, guided meditation, or short daily check-ins can help students regulate their emotions and stay present. Many schools now integrate mindfulness into their routines, offering moments of calm before assessments or during transitions.
Teaching students how to manage their time effectively, with diaries or planners, checklists, and study schedules, can alleviate the pressure of looming deadlines. Reducing the perception of chaos or lack of control often reduces anxiety as well.
Encouraging students to access support networks, including school counsellors, wellbeing coordinators, or peer mentors, provides them with valuable coping mechanisms. Teachers can normalise the use of these services by referring to them openly and without stigma.
Creating a Supportive Classroom Environment
Perhaps the most significant intervention teachers can make is to cultivate a classroom atmosphere that prioritises psychological safety. A psychologically safe classroom is one where students feel accepted, respected, and free from ridicule when taking academic or social risks.
Establishing clear classroom expectations at the start of the term provides students with a sense of structure. Knowing what behaviour is expected and what is considered respectful communication helps anxious students navigate participation more confidently.
Open communication is also essential. Students should know that their voices matter and that their concerns will be heard without judgement. Teachers can foster this through regular check-ins, anonymous suggestion boxes, or discussion protocols that ensure all voices are valued.
When teachers share their own vulnerabilities, such as past nervousness about public speaking, they model that fear is a normal part of growth. This honesty can be incredibly reassuring to students who feel isolated by their anxiety.
A Whole-School Approach
Tackling speaking anxiety shouldn’t be the responsibility of individual teachers alone. Schoolwide strategies, including professional development, wellbeing programs, and community engagement, can make systemic changes that support student mental health.
Programs such as Be You, an initiative by Beyond Blue, provide evidence-based resources tailored to schools. These programs encourage collaboration between educators, mental health professionals, and families to create a consistent support network for students experiencing anxiety.
Peer support initiatives also hold promise. Buddy systems, peer-led workshops, and student voice programs can create a sense of belonging and reduce the stigma associated with anxiety. When students see that their peers are also navigating similar fears, it reduces isolation and builds solidarity.
Looking Forward
As awareness of student anxiety continues to grow, so too does the opportunity for schools to become places of genuine emotional safety and empowerment. Speaking up in class is more than a curriculum expectation; it is a developmental milestone that helps shape a student’s identity, confidence, and future communication skills.
By recognising the roots of student anxiety, implementing targeted strategies for building confidence, creating opportunities for shy students to engage, and fostering stress management, educators can help their students find their voice. The long-term benefits, not just in academic achievement, but in self-worth and resilience, are immeasurable.
In the end, the goal is not to force every student into the spotlight, but to ensure that each student knows they have a voice worth hearing and a classroom willing to listen.
