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There has been an unprecedented shift in the global landscape of English language education worldwide. Schools and organizations have increasingly prioritized conversational fluency over rigid grammatical perfection, recognizing that effective communication extends beyond textbook accuracy. Such (r)evolution reflects a more profound understanding that an ever-changing and live language such as English is, at its core, a tool for real-world connection and expression, with implications that extend further than the classroom.
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Industry trends: the shift toward prioritizing conversational English
The educational sector faces a significant transformation in how English is taught and evaluated. As noted by Scott Thornbury in “How to Teach Speaking,” for many non-native speakers (NNSs) of English (and even native speakers), becoming a perfect speaker from a grammatical and linguistic standpoint could be an unrealistic goal.
Thornbury states that intelligible communication across genres, contexts, and topics is sufficient and maybe even more important than formal accuracy. Many linguists widely share this perspective, which has vastly influenced language schools to update their approaches to language instruction.
Recent developments in the industry showcase this dramatic shift. The most well-known self-study language app, Duolingo, launched its AI-powered conversation practice feature in 2023, emphasizing real-world speaking scenarios over traditional multiple-choice exercises to increase learners’ confidence and mimic real-life language use.
Similarly, Cambridge has introduced a new research project called Speak & Improve, providing learners with unlimited online speaking practice opportunities through authentic conversation simulations whilst giving tips on how to speak better. Bridge’s 21st-Century Teaching Skills Micro-Credential course bundle showcases the new educational market’s needs and the long-coming teachers’ need to start teaching conversational English.
Teach your students to speak with confidence with the
Micro-credential in Teaching English Pronunciation
Get CertifiedHow conversational English is being integrated into corporate language training
In the corporate sector, companies are investing heavily in conversational English training. It has been reported that Microsoft’s Local Language Program (LLP), which aims to develop employees’ education and skills, now incorporates virtual reality-based conversation rooms where employees can practice English in simulated business scenarios.
Amazon’s Career Choice program reported significant improvement in employee education and communication effectiveness after shifting to a conversation-first approach in their language training programs, which include skills-based language learning, online courses, and language exchange programs.
Bridge Corporate Language Learning uses AI language learning in many ways. Most notable is their Conversation CoPilot which provides unlimited opportunities for Business English conversation practice, offering real-time feedback with over 400 lessons to choose from. It also offers immersive environments where participants can practice in real-life situations.
Recent technological advances are crucial in supporting the shift towards conversational fluency. Famous AI-powered platforms are often integrated into language learning programs by educational giants, small schools, and even self-employed ELT professionals. Schools using such tools alongside traditional instruction saw increased student speaking proficiency, interest, and motivation.
Immersive virtual reality simulations, like those developed by LLP, are also gaining popularity, allowing learners to practice English in lifelike scenarios using VR headsets, VR goggles, and even simpler software variations on their phones.
Interested in using AI in your own teaching practice? Read this next: 6 Ways to Use AI as Your Personal Teaching Assistant.
The benefits of prioritizing conversational fluency
Real-life application
The main goal of language learning is and has always been communication. Whether for reading or listening, speaking or writing, English learning aims to make learners better understand and communicate their message appropriately, be it professionally or personally.
The long-lived discussion between fluency vs. accuracy will never lose its battlefield. There are advantages to both, but nowadays, one must admit that there are more benefits to being intelligible than accurate. In a post-pandemic and globalized world that was brought even closer together during the online educational boom (that came to stay), it is clear that presential education has lost much room to the internet – and, of course, the informalities that come attached to it.
A clear example is the word used above: presential. You can likely make sense of that based on the context, but it is in no way the proper use of the word. The brand-name dictionaries do not even show it, and it has fewer than 0.01 occurrences per million English words used.
For some reason, it “peaked” in the 1830s and came back to us mid-pandemic. You can check its usage frequency by going to Google’s Ngram viewer, a corpus-based language trend tracker that goes as far back as the first published books. Focus on intelligibility and using English as a Lingua Franca eclipses accuracy, and you have just seen it at work.
Building confidence
Fluent speakers can better articulate their thoughts and ideas, avoiding misunderstandings and promoting effective communication. Better communicators develop their confidence, motivations, and relationships. Penny Ur once said, “Successful communication promotes confidence, and confidence promotes further communication,” a principle that should be embraced.
Conversational approaches naturally create more engaging learning environments. The Journal of Language Teaching Methodology reported that students in conversation-focused classes showed higher attendance rates and better retention of learned material than traditional grammar-focused classes. Instead of passive memorization, students should actively participate in role-plays, discussions, and real-world scenarios.
Cultural competence
In recent years, there has been a long-awaited and growing interest in inclusive teaching materials. The textbooks used in the 80s and 90s are very far from the social and cultural reality of the 2020s. Focusing on conversational English naturally incorporates cultural elements that might be missed in traditional English instruction.
Learners can now develop higher cultural intelligence and learn the language and nuances of communication styles, idioms, accents, and references, preparing them for important transferable skills such as authentic cross-cultural interactions.
Learn more about promoting social, cultural, global, and environmental awareness and its many benefits.
Make transferable skills a part of every ESL lesson with the free
Guide to Teaching 21st-Century Skills in the ESL/EFL Classroom
downloadBoosting student motivation
When learners see immediate results in both their communication ability and feeling understood, their motivation soars.
Motivated learners hope to learn more and better. Even with occasional grammatical errors, success in honest conversations provides tangible proof of progress, encouraging them to embrace language learning that they can use to create instead of textbook knowledge they can simply apply.
This trend represents a mature understanding of language learning’s true purpose. As evidenced in Nunan’s work in “Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages,” language instruction should enable learners to take part in the real world, where communication is commonly imperfect but nearly always purposeful.
While accuracy remains essential, the ability to communicate effectively and confidently takes precedence in today’s global environment. As more institutions embrace this approach, a new generation of English speakers will likely emerge, better equipped to engage in meaningful international dialogue and collaboration.
Celebrating fluency in conversational English not only changes how language is taught but also transforms how people connect across the board. This shift towards practical communication skills promises to create more confident, capable, and culturally aware English speakers, developing a growing sense of connection and understanding in today’s interconnected world.
