shall I teach my students more or let them practice more?

I believe that it is important to effectively teach children how to do things well. Then encourage children to practice doing things well. When I was in school I use to practice and study all th time and it did not always make me perfect or more effective in every subject because I would sometimes practice doing things wrong, so I was somewhat stuck doing somethings wrong.

Why worry when you can alternate teaching and drills or exercises? I agree...the more that students practice speaking the English language, the faster is their learning it. However, you as the teacher is an indispensable factor that could guide, challenge and inspire them to achieve even greater feats. So more opportunities to learn like reading, reciting, speech choirs, debates, drama, dialogues, impromptu speaking, etc. will make them practice more and be more confident with public speaking using the English language...good luck.

you should mix teaching with practice. i mean, while practicing you are teaching them the right grammar and spelling and pronunciation and diction. it's better to apply immediately what you are teaching them because they would easily remember it. you can make them read English novels in front of the class and point them their mistakes if ever they commit some. ^__^ or they can share their stored text messages to class and translate it to English. ^__^

Personally I firstly think you should ask them what it is they would prefer. A lot of teachers and I mean no disrespect, tend to go into dictator mode ie, I am the teacher, this is the work board, this is what we will do, write it down and learn it, there will be a test next week. If they like texting, try to figure a way to use it instead of fighting it, I know it is not a mobile but try starting a conversation on a piece of paper and have it passed round with a response from everyone and read the conversation when done, all responses to be written in English. Personally I think texting is the ruin of the English language. I attended my sisters review day before term ended, and her English teacher said she is very bright and a diamond to teach but she writes as though she is texting. I said to my sister you need to stop because come exam time, you are going to be in the habbit and by then it will be too late, you will not even realise you are doing on an exam paper.

I think that this is one where finding a balance is a hard thing to do. I always remember loving my english lessons when I had practical uses for the stuff I was learning. IT holds true for everyone I think, If its fun, I remember it. Say you were doing romeo and juliet for example, you could have some kids take the lead roles while the others get to form the backdrop and then perform some of it in front of other classes and when it's done, do the same with another play. Or have them write a story set in a certain period of time like if they were in the middle ages, they could choose to be a baron or a peasant or what have you and they would have to write something like a letter home, but they would have to do it in character. We did that at school and we had so much fun! I was a baron and constantly complained about how peasants werent working ahrd enough while one of my friends was a peasant and called me a tyrant! It's all about the fun! if it's fun for them and you see them enjoying themselves, you'll have more fun too :) hope that helps :)

you should teach them more,maybe they do not understand.