The Free Talk Problem
Student pays for a conversation class. Teacher asks 'So, how was your week?' Twenty minutes of pleasant chatting follows. The student feels good. The teacher feels good.
But the student hasn't improved. They used the same vocabulary, made the same errors, and stayed in their comfort zone — exactly like they would chatting with a friend for free.
A conversation class isn't a conversation. It's a structured speaking development session disguised as conversation.
The 3-Phase Conversation Framework
Phase 1: Language Activation (10 minutes)
Before the conversation, pre-teach 5-7 useful phrases. If the topic is 'travel problems,' teach: 'We ended up...', 'It turned out that...', 'If only I had...', 'The worst part was...'
Before the conversation, pre-teach 5-7 useful phrases. If the topic is 'travel problems,' teach: 'We ended up...', 'It turned out that...', 'If only I had...', 'The worst part was...'
Do a quick gap-fill exercise (from DrillKit) to activate these phrases.
Phase 2: Structured Conversation (25 minutes)
Not free talk — guided talk. Use:
- Question cards that force specific structures
- Role-play scenarios with clear objectives
- Discussion with required phrases: 'You MUST use at least 3 of the new phrases'
- Information gap activities
Not free talk — guided talk. Use:
- Question cards that force specific structures
- Role-play scenarios with clear objectives
- Discussion with required phrases: 'You MUST use at least 3 of the new phrases'
- Information gap activities
Phase 3: Feedback & Upgrade (10 minutes)
Share 5 things the student said well. Then share 5 upgrades, where you show what they said and how a native speaker might say it:
- Student: 'The hotel was very bad' → Upgrade: 'The hotel was absolutely dreadful'
- Student: 'I said them no' → Upgrade: 'I turned them down'
Share 5 things the student said well. Then share 5 upgrades, where you show what they said and how a native speaker might say it:
- Student: 'The hotel was very bad' → Upgrade: 'The hotel was absolutely dreadful'
- Student: 'I said them no' → Upgrade: 'I turned them down'
lightbulb
Teacher Tip
"Record 2 minutes of the conversation (with permission). Play it back at the end. Students hear their own errors and self-correct. This 'noticing' moment is worth more than 10 corrections from you."
Frequently Asked Questions
What topics work best for conversation classes?
add
Topics that provoke opinions and personal stories: ethical dilemmas, 'would you rather' scenarios, news stories, controversial statements. Avoid topics that produce yes/no answers or factual recall.
How do I handle silence in conversation classes?
add
Silence often means the student is formulating. Wait 5-7 seconds before rescuing. If they're truly stuck, offer a sentence starter: 'So you mean that...?' and let them complete it.