Naghmana Yusuf| English Teacher, Grade V
There’s a moment in my classroom that I truly enjoy—the moment a discussion begins. Whether it’s a story we’re reading, a comprehension passage, a grammar example, or even contextual meanings of tricky words, students suddenly come alive. Hands shoot up before I even finish the question.
“Miss, I think this word means determined because the character didn’t give up.” “No, Miss, maybe it means stubborn because he refused to listen!”
And just like that, the room turns into a lively exchange of ideas. Students build on each other’s thoughts, challenge opinions, and sometimes even start mini debates. Argumentative discussions are especially fun. When we talk about facts and opinions or discuss a topic that invites debate, they love it.
“Miss, I disagree!” “Miss, I have another argument!”
Ideas flow effortlessly. Creativity shines. The confidence with which they express themselves is honestly one of my favorite parts of teaching.
But then comes the moment when I say, “Alright, now write your response in your notebook.”
And that’s when I see the shift.
The same student who had three brilliant arguments a minute ago now stares at the page. The pencil moves slower. The enthusiasm drops. Someone immediately asks, “Miss… how many words?”
When I say “around 100 to 120,” the next question comes quickly: “So 101 words are enough, right?”
Suddenly the goal is not expressing ideas—it’s finishing the minimum.
The thoughts are still there, but spelling slows them down, writing feels heavier, and the excitement of discussion doesn’t always carry onto the page. This is where encouragement and small writing strategies help students turn their spoken ideas into written ones.
Perhaps it’s also a reflection of the times students are growing up in. With gadgets, instant messages, and quick conversations everywhere, sharing ideas verbally comes far more naturally than writing them down. It certainly makes teaching writing a bit more challenging—but at the same time, it pushes me to find new ways to bring that love of writing back into the classroom, so those wonderful spoken ideas can finally find their place on paper.