Take part in class
Interacting in Class: Common Expectations
Use this page when you want to know what instructors and classmates usually expect in a U.S. college class.
Common expectations in a U.S. college class
Every class has rules that the syllabus explains. Most classes also have unwritten expectations: things instructors and classmates expect but rarely say out loud. This page describes the most common ones in U.S. college classes, in person and online.
Instructors are different. Your syllabus and your instructor always come first. If something on this page does not match your class, follow your class.
Talking with your instructor
- Use the name your instructor asks for. Look in the syllabus or listen on the first day. If you are not sure, use Professor + last name. It is correct for any college instructor.
- Questions are welcome. Asking a question shows that you are paying attention. It does not mean that you are behind or that the instructor taught badly.
- You may disagree with your instructor. Disagreement with a reason, in a polite tone, is a normal part of college learning.
- Office hours are for every student. Instructors set times to meet with students. You do not need a problem to go. One question is enough.
Taking part in class
- Speaking in class is often part of the grade. Check the syllabus for the word participation.
- Wait for a pause, or raise your hand. In a large class, raise your hand. In a small group, wait until the speaker finishes.
- A short answer is fine. Your answer does not need to be perfect or long. Instructors value an attempt.
- “I am not sure yet” is an acceptable answer. You can also ask for a moment to think.
- Asking someone to repeat is normal. Students and instructors do it very often.
Working in groups
- Everyone is expected to contribute. Offer to do one task, even a small one.
- Agree on who does what, and by when. Write it down where the whole group can see it.
- If you cannot finish your part, tell the group early.
Online classes
- Check the course site several times a week. Announcements and messages often have important changes.
- In a live video class, follow the instructor’s rules for cameras, microphones, and the chat.
- A written message is part of the class too. Use a greeting, complete sentences, and your name.
- Participation:
- taking an active part in class, such as speaking, asking questions, or working with a group.
- Office hours:
- times when an instructor is available to meet with students. Some instructors call them student hours.
- Syllabus:
- the document that explains the rules, schedule, and grading for a course.
- Clarify:
- to make something clear. A clarifying question asks for a clearer explanation.
Example: asking for help in class
An instructor is explaining a new assignment. A student does not hear one part and is not sure about another part. Here is what the student says. Each number matches a note below.
Instructor: The project is due at the end of the unit. You will work in pairs, and each pair will present for about five minutes.
Student: Excuse me, Professor Hale.1 Could you repeat the last part, please?2
Instructor: Sure. Each pair will present for about five minutes.
Student: Thank you. So, do you mean that both partners need to speak?3
Instructor: Yes. Both partners should speak for part of the time.
Student: OK, I understand. Thank you.4
- Getting attention politely. Excuse me and the instructor’s name show respect. In a large class, raise your hand first.
- A polite request. Could you and please make the request polite. The student says exactly which part to repeat.
- Checking understanding. The student says the idea again in their own words and asks if it is correct. This is a clarifying question.
- Closing the exchange. The student shows that the question is answered. The instructor knows the conversation is finished.
You can ask the instructor after class, in office hours, or in a message. All three are normal. Ask soon, so you have time to use the answer.
Language focus: making polite requests
Could, would, and may
In English, a request that begins with a command, such as “Repeat that,” can sound rude. A question with could, would, or may sounds polite.
| Too direct | Polite | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat that. | Could you repeat that, please? | Could you + base verb |
| Explain the second step. | Would you explain the second step again? | Would you + base verb |
| Speak more slowly. | Would you mind speaking more slowly? | Would you mind + verb-ing |
| I want to ask something. | May I ask a question? | May I + base verb |
After could you, would you, and may I, use the base verb, with no to and no ending. Write Could you explain it? Do not write “Could you to explain it?”
After would you mind, use the -ing form. Write Would you mind explaining it? Do not write “Would you mind to explain it?”
Can you and can I are also common in speech, and they are polite with please. Could and may sound a little more formal. They are a safe choice with instructors.
Sentence starters
Fill in each blank with your own words.
- To ask someone to repeatCould you repeat the part about , please?Sorry, I did not hear .
- To check that you understandSo, do you mean that ?Just to check, we need to ?
- To join a discussionI would like to add .That connects to .
- To disagree with respectI have a question about . I read that .I see it a little differently because .
- To ask for timeI am not sure yet. May I think about it for a moment?Could I come back to that question?
- To offer help in a groupI can do .Would it help if I ?
Practice
- The syllabus lists your instructor as Dr. Lena Ortiz. She does not say what to call her. What do you call her?
- Make this request polite: “Say the due date again.”
- Correct this request: “Would you mind to show the example again?”
- True or false: If you ask a question in class, the instructor will think you were not paying attention.
- Your group has divided the work. Two days before the due date, you see that you cannot finish your part. What should you do?
Show suggested answers
- Dr. Ortiz or Professor Ortiz. Use a title + her last name. Dr. is the title she uses in the syllabus. Professor is correct for any college instructor. Use her first name only if she asks you to.
- Could you say the due date again, please? Could you + base verb turns the command into a polite question. Would you also works.
- Would you mind showing the example again? After would you mind, use the -ing form, not to + verb.
- False. In U.S. college classes, questions show that you are listening and thinking. Instructors expect them.
- Tell the group now, and suggest a plan. An early message gives the group time to adjust. For example: “I cannot finish the slides by Thursday. I can finish two of them. Could someone help with the last one?”
Next step
Try one thing this week
- Find out what your instructor wants to be called. Check the syllabus.
- Find your instructor’s office hours in the syllabus or on the course site.
- Ask one question in class, after class, or in office hours.
- Use one polite request from this page.