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[Jizzo T. Clown]

I teach Chinese grad students once a week for three hours (three groups) and the students complained to my supervisor that they don't want to talk to each other. They want more time with the teacher. I retorted that since we only have 50 minutes per class, and 25 students per class, each student could sign up for a 2 minute slot to have some face time with me.

How can you make Chinese students see the value of speaking English to one another? I had the same problem in China and it really chaffes my hide.

[been_there]

1. Do the math with them like you did with your supervisor. Ask them which is better: 50 minutes of speaking English or two minutes.
2. Make sure they understand that, although they will be speaking with each other, it will be under your supervision and direction.
3. Give them fun activities that they enjoy. IF they are worried about looking stupid in front of their classmates, make a rule that they can't laugh at each other. If they are having fun and enjoying the activities, they will speak more.
4. Give them a short speech on communicative compentency. Tell them that learning a language is like riding a bike: they can't learn how to ride a bike from a book, or watching someone else do it. They have to do it themselves.
5. Give them each 2 minutes of face time and see how they like that.

I think perhaps the main problem is that they are afraid of looking stupid, making mistakes and loosing face. Find a topic/activity they like and develop lessons plans around it.

good luck.