Should sensitive topics be discussed in online ESL classes?

As an online English teacher, there’s a wide array of topics you can discuss with your students to make the class more engaging as well as educational. The choice of discussion topic can greatly influence the dynamic and learning outcomes of your virtual classroom.

Sensitive topics, ranging from politics and religion to mental health and societal issues, can be both a source of rich, engaging conversation and a potential minefield of discomfort or controversy.

Let’s take a look at both sides of the debate to help you make an informed decision on whether to discuss sensitive topics in your online ESL classroom.

Pros of Discussing Sensitive Topics

1) Encourages Critical Thinking and Real-Life Application

Discussing sensitive topics can push students to articulate complex ideas, develop arguments, and engage in meaningful debates. This will greatly enhance their language skills and help them become more confident in speaking about a range of topics. Discussing real-life issues makes learning more practical, thus better preparing students for professional or social situations where such topics may arise. 

2) Builds Empathy and Cultural Awareness

Many sensitive topics are deeply tied to culture. Exploring these in class can promote cross-cultural understanding, allowing students to share perspective and gain insights into others’ lives and experiences. Students will learn to agree to disagree on certain topics, and this better prepares them for the real-world, where they’re meeting people from all walks of life. Especially if students are interested in travelling to other countries, having these open discussions will equip them with the cultural sensibility needed to interact with people from other cultures. 

3) Keeps Lessons Engaging and Relevant

Sensitive topics often mirror current events, making discussions feel timely and relevant. For older students and/or professionals, these conversations can hold their attention better than generic topics. You may even consider opening up a news page that takes a stand on a certain issue and have intermediate to advanced level students read it and share their opinions on it (whether they agree or not). Keep the discussion authentic, but also respectful at the same time.

4) Empowers Personal Expression

Addressing these subjects gives students a safe space to voice opinions in a controlled, respectful environment. It also allows for vocabulary building in areas that resonate with their personal interests and concerns. Everyone wants to be heard, so by providing each student a platform to share their ideas and opinions in a second language, students may gain more confidence in using English to express themselves.

Cons of Discussing Sensitive Topics

1) Risk of Offending or Alienating Students

Online classrooms tend to be especially diverse. Sensitive topics can unintentionally offend or alienate students, potentially leading to uncomfortable situations, loss of trust, or even a drop in attendance. Give students the option to write to you privately in the chatbox if they are feeling uncomfortable, and you can use your professional discretion to steer the conversation in a different direction.

2) Challenges in Maintaining Neutrality

Teachers are humans too and have their own opinions about certain topics. However, in a classroom, teachers must often remain neutral facilitiators and not input too much of their own ideas. On controversial issues, this can be challenging, as personal biases or opinions may inadvertently seep through, affecting the class dynamic.

3) Varied Comfort Levels and Maturity

Students may have vastly different levels of maturity or comfort with certain topics. What feels appropriate to one student might feel invasive or inapproriate to another, creating an uneven learning environment. This is why it’s important to gauge the comfort levels and maturity of your group of students ahead of time before jumping into sensitive topics. Or even do an anonymous vote on whether students would like to discuss certain topics or not.

4) Risk of Derailing the Lesson

Sensitive topics can sometimes spiral into heated debates, taking focus away from language learning. This can disrupt the flow of the lesson and detract from the original objectives. To prevent this from happening, create an agenda for the lesson and if the discussion gets sidetracked, go back to the agenda and pull the group back on schedule. 

Strategies for Sensitive Topics Discussion in Your Online ESL Class

1) Gauge student readiness: Use pre-discussion surveys or casual converstions to understand your students’ comfort levels.

2) Establish ground rules: Emphasize respect, active listening, and open-mindedness.

3) Focus on language goals: Steer discussions toward vocabulary, grammar, or conversation skills, rather than diving deeply into controversial opinions for the sake of debating.

4) Provide opt-out options: Allow students to choose whether to participate, so no one feels pressured to engage in topics they’re not comfortable with. 

Would you be interested in hosting discussions about sensitive topics in your own online ESL classes? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments below!