Learning and teaching speaking with

CALL
1. Tips for learning and teaching speaking
- Champion conversation in the classroom
“You don’t have to stick to prescribed speaking tasks. Allow time for more chat, informal
conversation and incidental learning, students will feel safer in such an environment.”

- Speak through scaffolding

“Encourage learners to build on each other’s development in order to get the right words out
by, working through various phrases until they crack it. And when do they do, celebrate these
moments of breakthrough.”

- Make speaking activities felt and not forced

“If students feel like talking, they’re going to speak. Create a balance between spontaneous
activities and time for preparation, all supported by interesting and relevant topics that they’ll
naturally want to talk about.”

- Get them absorbed in the task, not the talking

“Pair and group work helps to normalize the sound of talking in the classroom so students don’t
feel focused on. Before you know it, they’re throwing themselves into activities and talking
without even knowing it, not worried about how they sound to their peers or teachers.”

- Maintain a calm, relaxed and judgement free atmosphere

“Create a relaxed friendly atmosphere and remind learners that the class is a no judgement
zone. Simply reminding students of this relaxes them and encourages compassion in the
classroom.”