The Language Teacher
July 2000

Using Active Communication to Enhance Learning

Steven J. Molinsky



Using active communication, as opposed to passive study, is an established approach for helping students acquire and develop communication skills. With the proper classroom setting and support, student-centered learning can take place, and a dynamic, motivating learning environment is created. One way to create such an environment is through the use of what I have termed the 'guided conversation' methodology. This methodology takes two traditional approaches to teaching grammar -- pattern drills and traditional dialogs -- and combines them with student-centered activities to enable students to internalize target structures while actively participating in conversation classes.

In order to understand the theory of guided conversations, it is helpful to examine the strengths and weaknesses of pattern drills and traditional dialogs and see how a blending of these two approaches can be successfully incorporated into conversation classes.

Pattern Drills

The benefit of pattern drills is that they isolate structures and give students intensive practice. However, these types of drills typically consist of single sentences, unrelated to each other, in a unifying, relevant context. Therefore, as students perform these drills, no real communication is taking place. This isolated practice may allow students to memorize target grammar structures but offers no relevant context, therefore having little meaning for the learner.

Traditional Dialogs

Traditional dialogs, on the other hand, may provide examples of contextualized use of language. However, they typically do not focus sufficiently on the target structures. As a result, students are not given sufficient practice with the grammar, thereby slowing the acquisition process. Traditional dialogs are an effective way to present grammar in context, but students need more focused practice with target structures than these types of dialogs typically provide.

One of the main goals of the guided conversation methodology is to combine the best features of each of these approaches -- by providing focused practice with grammar structures, but in a communicative context. In the guided conversation methodology, grammar structures are introduced through short model dialogs, but there is always a clear focus on a particular grammatical structure. As a result, grammar is highlighted, but at the same time is presented in a communicative context.

In the guided conversation methodology, model dialogs serve as vehicles for introducing new grammatical structures. Students then create new conversations based on the structured framework of the model dialog, using new vocabulary and different contexts. As a result, this approach allows for students to practice the grammar structure and vocabulary in context, and then have the opportunity to apply it in a variety of situations.

The ideal situation is for students to practice these models in pairs. This allows for students to actively participate in conversation practice. As a result, the classroom is transformed into a student-centered learning environment.

Using guided conversations is a supportive and enjoyable way to introduce and help students acquire target grammar structures. To maximize use of this approach, there are a few general principles that will hopefully make the guided conversation methodology successful in your classes. Let' s look at some of these guiding principles for working with conversations.

Students should speak, not read the conversations

When students are doing these types of exercises, they should avoid reading the conversations, but should instead practice speaking the lines to each other. Even though students will need to refer to the text to be able to practice the conversations, they should not read the lines word by word. Rather, they should scan a full line and then look up from the book and speak the line to the other person. Although this technique is occasionally incorporated into conversation classes, it is important that it be followed and reinforced regularly, thereby allowing it to become second nature to the students.

Intonation and Gesture

Throughout the conversation practice, students should be encouraged to truly act out the dialogs whenever possible. This makes the conversations more enjoyable and more natural. It also serves to help increase students' retention level by maximizing their emotional involvement.

Vocabulary in Context

Vocabulary can and should be effectively taught in the context of the conversation being practiced. Guessing and predicting meaning is a vital skill and should be encouraged as often as possible.

No "Grammar Talk"

Most students have had a lot of formal grammar study and have an understanding of the rules of grammar. Guided conversations should therefore be used to help students use the language and allow them to engage in active communication according to the rules of the grammar structure, without necessarily having to talk about the structure.

Once the framework has been practiced and students have had sufficient opportunity to use it in different contexts, they are ready to take the next step -- to use the structures in a freer environment. There are numerous ways to do this, and this is where language learning truly takes place.

The aim of this article has been to take a reflective approach to our teaching and remind ourselves of the importance of creating an effective balance of traditional and progressive approaches in order to enhance learning and create a rich, dynamic learning environment.



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