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.