When I'm testing my students (a verbal test), I instruct my students to say "I don't know" if they don't know the answer to a question. Almost all of my students comply with this as they are familiar with me & know that I do not do 'loss of face'. If any of my students do not speak any English in such a test, they get a score of zero.

I'm wondering if other teachers do the same? Also, are some of you other teachers 'controlled' (somehow) by this 'loss of face' rubbish (school policy)?

Further & regarding 'loss of face', I have never accepted it, do not accept it & will never accept it. My students seem to appreciate me greatly.

I guess this thread is about 2 things:

1] testing procedures regarding the answer (see my 1st paragraph).

2] Loss of face.

I do not wish this thread to be exclusively about 'loss of face' but more about verbal testing procedures.

How old are your students?

I would think a better thing would be to teach them to ask "Why?".

Again this never taught for fear of 'losing face', but would encourage them to 'question' rather than 'accepting'. Something terribly lacking in Thailand. Encouraging free independent thought..

My students are adults (college). I also promote the use of the word 'why'...vigorously!