Can't Get Your Teens to Talk in Class? Try The World Cafe Method.

You know the look. Yes.. that one. The one where you thought you delivered a killer lesson, only to glance around the room and see... nothing. Blank stares. And that’s if you’re lucky enough that they’re even looking at you. Teens are known for being too cool to share or participate—except for those few lovely (and normally hyperactive) students who pick up all the talking and more.

But if having one or two students carrying the entire conversation isn’t enough for you, I’ve got some ideas to get more engagement and participation in your classroom—plus a discussion method called The World Cafe I love to use. But first, we need to understand WHY so many teens don’t participate or speak up in class.

Why Teens Don’t Participate in Class

1. They Aren’t Interested in the Topic (or How It’s Presented)

Let’s be real—if I were a student expected to participate in math class, I might pretend I got a highly dangerous and instant disease that caused me to go into the halls. I do not like math. It confuses me, and it bores me. But if that math problem were made relevant to my interests, I’d be way more likely to engage. Relevance is key to keeping teens' attention. Once you have that, the learning follows because you’ve captured their curiosity first.

2. They Don’t Know the Answer

If a question has a single correct answer, silence might just mean students genuinely don’t know it. Instead of traditional comprehension checks where students raise their hands, focus on open-ended questions. Try phrasing questions like:

“Why do you think...?”
“What might happen if...?”

This takes away the fear of getting it wrong and encourages discussion.

3. Too Many People Are Watching

Teens are self-conscious. Speaking in front of an entire class can feel intimidating. Instead, try smaller group discussions or Think-Pair-Share strategies to ease that pressure.

Get Your Teens to Talk With The World Café Discussion Method

All of these reasons for your students not participating above are solved by using this super simple method called, The World Cafe.

I first learned the World Café method in college when I was a participant in one, and wow did we have some really meaningful conversations.

I’ve been using it in my classes ever since. It’s a game-changer, and I try and not use that phrase too often.

How It Works:

Create a relaxed, café-like environment.
- Play background café music.
- Set up a tea station.
- Arrange chairs into small discussion areas called "corners"
Prepare Open-Ended Discussion Questions For Each Corner.
- These should be deep, personal, and connected to your unit.
- Example: Instead of asking “Why is drinking alcohol bad for teens?”, ask “Why do you think people turn to substances despite knowing the risks? What are they REALLY looking for, and are there healthier alternatives?”
Break Students Into Small Groups (5-7 Students Each).
- One student acts as the moderator to keep the discussion on track.
- The key to success? Give students the questions a day in advance.
- They prepare using a worksheet that helps them gather thoughts, research, and personal insights so they come in already knowing theirs thoughts and now it's time to share and listen to others.
Facilitate Discussions & Rotate Groups.
- Students discuss each question for about 10 minutes with their group before switching to the next corner. Either they keep the same group or you play a changing game to mix up the people.
- Once everyone has gone through the corners, have what's called the harvest, where everyone comes together and reflects on the key take aways.

The World Café method works because it removes the pressure that often keeps students silent. There are no massive groups watching, no fear of giving the "wrong" answer, and no intimidating public speaking moments. Instead, students engage in meaningful conversations where topics feel personal and relatable, making it easier for them to share their thoughts. Rather than just repeating facts, they get to explore ideas, challenge perspectives, and work together to find real solutions. I love how after this two day activity, my students are talking about it days after.

Try The World Cafe Method It in Your Classroom!

If you want to try World Café discussions in your class, check out my two best World Café activities. They come with preparation worksheets for students, editable slides outlining the discussion process, rules, and open-ended discussion questions (fully customizable.)

I’d love to hear how it goes in your classroom! Let me know how your students respond and if you finally got even the quiet student speaking up!! Teach On! Katie