I teach mainly foreign students with varying degrees of English comprehension. Due to their reservations about speaking English, some students will not speak unless prompted. To ease them back into the class and to get them involved, I often will place my hand on their shoulder and ask them how they do something in their country. Yes, it is putting them on the spot, but it is about a topic they know and the response is generally positive and it tends to get them involved with the lesson.
