While the school year can be packed with deadlines, exams, and pressure to “get it right,” summer allows for space to breathe. With fewer distractions and a gentler vibe, students may be more open to trying new things, speaking up, and building the internal motivation that fuels lasting growth.
At LingoAce, our teachers understand that confidence takes some nurturing and is more than just a byproduct of correct answers. Summer creates the ideal conditions to focus on that skill and help students not only use English, but own it. Here’s how LingoAce teachers can intentionally build confidence into every summer session and why it matters more than ever.
1. Create Low-Stakes Speaking Opportunities
Confidence starts with small moments where students feel safe to try. You can:
Begin class with light, open-ended questions
Use games that reward participation over perfection
Ask students for opinions, not just answers
These moments give students a chance to express themselves without the fear of “getting it wrong.” Over time, repeated success in low-pressure situations builds up the courage to take on more challenging ones.
💡 Pro Tip: Try a “This or That” warm-up at the start of class such as “Ice cream or cake?” “Rain or sunshine?” These quick choices let every student start class by speaking about their preferences, no stress required.
2. Focus on Effort & Expression
When confidence is the goal, how you give feedback matters. Summer is the time to prioritize effort, creativity, and communication. Instead of immediately correcting every error, try:
Praising clear intent: “That was great!”
Highlighting specific improvements: “You used two new words today!”
Encouraging risk: “I love that you tried a longer sentence!”
This kind of feedback tells students their voice matters more than their mistakes. That mindset shift opens the door for deeper engagement and faster progress.
📚 Example: Praise a student for using a new word, even if it was slightly mispronounced. The student will be encouraged to use the word more, and you can start using it in subsequent sessions to work towards perfecting pronunciation.
3. Celebrate Small Wins
Confidence grows when students feel recognized. Summer is a great time to create a culture of celebration in your classroom. Try:
“Shout-out of the day” for effort or creativity
Weekly progress visuals or awards
Verbal praise for emotional wins: “You never give up!”
Public affirmation helps normalize effort and encourages further participation.
🖼️ Insight: Confidence is contagious. When the student gets praised for trying, they'll feel more comfortable taking risks.
4. Invite Student Opinions & Autonomy
Confidence isn’t just about language output, it’s about believing your voice belongs in the room. That starts when students have some control over how they engage. Build in simple choice points like:
“Do you want to go first or second?”
“Which game do you feel like playing today?”
“What topic do you want to talk about next time?”
These moments of autonomy shift students from passive learners to active participants. The more they feel ownership over their learning, the more confident they’ll become in using their voice.
🙋🏻 Example: A student who is hesitant to speak may start participating more when allowed to choose topics related to her favorite animal.
5. Use Creative Expression
Some students struggle with structured conversation, but thrive when given room to create. Summer is a great time to tap into storytelling, drawing, acting, or music as tools to build confidence. Try this:
Ask students to draw something and describe it in English
Role-play a fun summer scenario (at the beach, camping, etc.)
Use short songs or chants to practice pronunciation with energy
These creative formats often lower the barrier for self-expression and give students a new “entry point” into language. When a student enjoys the activity, they forget to be afraid.
💡 Pro Tip: With extra time, let students “teach” you a mini-lesson about their favorite word, a funny sentence, or a game they know. Giving them the stage builds pride and fluency all at once.
Final Thoughts
A confident student remembers more, speaks more, and enjoys learning more. The growth they experience over summer carries into the school year, shaping how they show up in every class that follows. As a LingoAce teacher, you have the unique chance to turn quieter moments into breakthroughs. Whether it’s a tiny smile after a full sentence or a bold answer from a student who usually shrinks back, those wins matter.
LingoAce offers qualified teachers smooth onboarding for an online ESL job. With tools and resources tailored to TESOL/TEFL-certified teachers, you’ll have everything you need to teach English remotely to children and thrive in this exciting career!
