Conversation vs grammar: finding the right balance in language learning

WHICH LANGUAGE LESSONS ARE THE MOST USEFUL?

When any of us decides to learn a foreign language, we usually wonder which system is the best, fastest and most efficient.

All of us would like to insert a pen in our heads, download some kind of software and master a new language in a few hours. Unfortunately, language learning is a time consuming and multi-task process; consisting of various skills (listening, writing, speaking, and reading) that we need to learn and use. These skills require a huge effort, considerable patience and a great deal of practice.

There is no such thing as a perfect learning method, because all of us have different interests and diverse learning methods. But if you keep reading I´ll give you some clues to help you with this process.

Whether your goal is to find a job, translate books, or communicate with locals on holidays, you should start by questioning why you want to learn a language. This decision will lead you to the most personalized way of learning. Obviously, if you want just to have short talks with native Spaniards, you probably don´t need to master writing techniques. Conversely, if you want to translate books, speaking fluently may not be as important for you as having a great command of grammar and vocabulary.

Good lessons should be interesting for students and should keep them motivated. The student would be able to understand and practice new content and eventually be able to use it in a real situation - either conversations or writing tasks.  However, the best possible lessons are those which are meaningful for the student. A practice is meaningful when it is real, such as booking a hotel or applying for a job. In these kinds of tasks, students are 100% involved and focused because they have a personal interest in doing it right. That’s why setting our needs and expectations are so important beforehand.

CONVERSATION VS GRAMMAR CLASSES

Lately, we find lots of language courses based on conversation; however, is this the best way of learning or improving a foreign language?

Conversation is a relevant part of the process but grammar should not be put aside. From my experience with adult students, before being able to use new grammar content or vocabulary in a real conversation, we must first proceed along a well-paved rout. First, we compare these new grammar units with the equivalents in our mother-tongue language. Then we need to understand how they are used, internalize them through some writing and oral activities and eventually, after much practice, use then in a conversation. Consequently, conversation may be more useful once we know and understand grammar. Grammar, therefore, is essential and failing to address it consistently may cause you to speak a broken language that all of us identify in some foreign speakers.

A more suitable option than random conversations would be creating artificial contexts similar to real ones in which we can practice very specific grammar units or vocabulary.

Another useful activity would be collecting all mistakes we make and doubts we have during the conversation and trying to resolve them once we finish.

WHAT´S THE BEST ROUTE TO TAKE TO LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

A weekly lesson is not enough to learn. There are lots of things that you can do to learn more quickly and that should be implemented on a daily basis. Take good note!

It´s  important that you take part in your own teaching- learning process by setting your expectations, communicating with your teachers, finding helpful materials or resources, setting deadlines. Etc. No teachers will do that for you

Don´t focus exclusively on one skill but instead work on all of them. Try to find something to read at your level, leave comments in social media or send emails to friends to practice writing, find a language exchange partner, make lists of new words, and do your exercise daily!,. Language learning is a big undertaking that needs to become part of your everyday life. Don´t just do it for half an hour every now and then.

And finally, try to learn something about the country or countries where the language is used. You may need to know meal times, how important being punctual is, or which topics are inappropriate during a dinner. All of that is also a critical part of learning a foreign language.