Spoken English is quite opposite to written English because when we are writing, we have time to think whether a word is appropriate, if the tenses are correct and so on. While spoken English is totally on the contrary, our words, phrases, and tenses should be dealt with unconsciously and immediately. There are many ways to teach spoken English, but in my opinion, attentions should be paid to the English-speaking environment. There is no way we can speak fluently unless we are exposed to the language we are to learn.
And of course, the more we are exposed, the less time it takes. But the fact is that most Chinese students don’t have an English-speaking environment. We are actually exposed to English only temporarily, since our families aren’t English speakers and it’s impractical for us to speak English outside the class. Thus the class should immerse us into an English-speaking class or even an English-speaking area, like a campus or a town. Don’t teach by using any type of translation, and even ban dictionaries from the classroom.
Speak only in English. Use the words that we might already recognize to explain harder words. Although this might seem like a harder way to learn a language, it closely like the ways that babies and children learn to speak. I think it can be a method to teach spoken English quickly. And there are also three ways I consider as effective teaching methods. Firstly, use group discussions to encourage speech, either through open debating or through “ question and answer” sessions.
And our thinking skills are also gradually developed through asking us some unexpected questions by teachers. What’s more, teachers should always insist on complete answers in sentences, tell us that simple answers like “ Yes”, “ No” or “ Don’t know” are not accepted. Secondly, use role plays through interviews when we are working in small groups or pairs. Ask the rest of the class for their input on the mistakes that were made.
This type of activity is good for both our listening and speaking development. Thirdly, use games to liven students up. And the games all have to be spoken to encourage the good use of grammar to improve our English speaking skills through speaking activities of this type. After class, teachers could recommend some radio programs, films, music, TV series, etc. and of course, all about English. All in all, my ideal class should be totally full of English in different ways.
