Why practicing conversation is important for learning a language for business

Mastering the art of conversation is a skill, especially when the conversation isn’t in our native language.

When we learn our native language, the first thing we do is speak and then gradually move on to acquiring grammatical and written skills. However, in learning a second or third language, it is not uncommon to focus on reading and comprehension rather than verbal narrative.

If speaking is the most necessary language skill, it makes sense to ask ourselves what we can do to better integrate conversation practice into language training programs. Aonline English coursecan be the best way to practice conversation with an experienced teacher or native speaker. 

Today, the need to invest in an effective language training program that includes conversation practice as an essential component is stronger than ever. Here are four reasons that justify its importance.

1. Learning by doing

By practicing conversation, you absorb acquired knowledge and integrate a series of cognitive skills, putting them into practice simultaneously to produce oral communication. In effect, this is learning by doing.According to a study conducted by Elise WM Hopman and Maryellen C. MacDonald of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, language learners who practice conversation learn better than those who learn through comprehension exercises without oral practice. 

2. Conversation is bidirectional

Real languages, of course alsoEnglish, evolve rapidly and also require good listening skills.

For this reason, when we talk about the importance of listening in language learning, we are not just referring to doing listening comprehension exercises or answering multiple-choice questions on an audio recording, but also to listening to the teacher and classmates to show that you are paying attention and understanding the culture behind the language we are learning.

Listening is not limited to paying attention to answer the question asked, we must show interest and know how to ask the right questions in turn. Good listening ability is a valuable skill, and oral practice offers the ideal environment to develop it.

3. Relationships come first

When a student gives free rein to their curiosity, the learning curve rises rapidly. The student who holds a certain esteem for their teacher and peers benefits more from conversation.

Building a positive relationship and showing interest in our interlocutors is an important part of communication. Acquiring conversational skills is linked to emotional intelligence and understanding, and people with high IQs are particularly suited for it.

Active listening requires commitment, and the ability to ask questions of the teacher also helps improve grammar and accuracy.

4. The “flipped classroom” model

The “flipped classroom” model has been in use since the 1990s. It is an excellent way to engage the student more both before and during the training session.

Traditional training tends to focus on the teacher, turning the student into a passive recipient of information. Students often come to class with little or no idea what they will learn that day.

In this teaching model, students receive digital content before class and then continue to work with the material during class. This model accelerates learning by allowing students to work at their own pace, giving them the opportunity to choose what they want to learn and enabling them to immediately implement what they learn.

Pubblicato in Business