What strategy might help reduce anxiety in a new ESL student?

Providing a role without speech pressure can significantly help reduce anxiety in a new ESL student. This strategy allows the student to engage in the classroom environment without the immediate stress of speaking in front of peers, which can often be a source of anxiety for language learners. By assigning a role that does not require extensive verbal communication, such as being responsible for listening or assisting others, the student can still participate and feel included. This approach fosters a sense of belonging and helps build confidence gradually as the student becomes more comfortable in the new language context.

In contrast, assigning challenging tasks may increase stress levels as the student may feel overwhelmed or discouraged. Encouraging topic suggestions could potentially put the student on the spot, which might exacerbate anxiety rather than alleviate it. Having classmates introduce themselves can be a positive social interaction; however, it might place pressure on the new student to speak, which could lead to heightened anxiety in that scenario. Therefore, providing a role without speech pressure is a more effective approach to create a supportive learning environment for ESL students.