Techniques for teaching speaking

Students often think that the ability to speak a language is the product of language learning, but speaking is also a crucial part of the language learning process. Effective instructors teach students speaking strategies -- using minimal responses, recognizing scripts, and using language to talk about language -- which they can use to help themselves expand their knowledge of the language and their confidence in using it. These instructors’ help students learn to speak so that the students can use speaking to learn.

Encourage Students to Speak

Encouraging students to speak

Before I go on, I'd like to ask for a moment's reflection. First, think of a lesson you have taught which you feel has gone really well. Next, think of one that has gone particularly badly. If your experiences are anything like mine, both your top and bottom lessons will have been speaking-focused. Speaking-based classes seem to provide incredible scope for both truly great and truly awful classroom experiences. This article will look at reasons for this apparent unpredictability and try to narrow the vague 'communicative approach' into some practical steps towards successful speaking lessons involving all students.