Conversation Practice

Speaking Is Where Fluency Lives

🔄 Recall the grammar patterns from our previous lesson. Grammar knowledge in your head is different from grammar flowing in conversation. Many learners can pass written tests but freeze when trying to speak.

This is normal. And it’s fixable.

Speaking fluency requires one thing above all else: practice. Not studying about speaking. Actually speaking. AI gives you unlimited, judgment-free speaking practice at exactly your level.

Why AI Is the Perfect Conversation Partner

Conversation Setup Prompts

Beginner Conversations (A1-A2)

“Let’s have a simple conversation in [language]. I’m a beginner. Use only basic vocabulary and short sentences. Speak slowly. After every 3 exchanges, briefly correct one error I made and suggest how to say it more naturally. Then continue the conversation. Topic: [introducing ourselves / ordering food / asking for directions].”

Intermediate Conversations (B1-B2)

“Let’s have a conversation in [language] about [topic]. I’m intermediate. Use natural speech but avoid complex idioms. After every 4-5 exchanges, highlight one grammar error and one vocabulary improvement. Ask me follow-up questions to push me to express more complex ideas.”

Advanced Conversations (B2-C1)

“Let’s discuss [complex topic] in [language] at a natural pace. Challenge me with nuanced vocabulary. Only correct errors that would confuse a native speaker. After the conversation, give me a fluency assessment covering vocabulary range, grammar accuracy, and natural expression.”

Scenario-Based Practice

Real-world scenarios prepare you for actual situations:

Travel Scenarios

“Role-play: You’re a hotel receptionist in [country]. I’m a tourist checking in. Speak only [language]. I need to ask about my room, Wi-Fi, breakfast times, and local restaurant recommendations. Stay in character.”

Work Scenarios

“Role-play: You’re my colleague in a [language]-speaking office. We’re discussing a project deadline that needs to be extended. I’ll explain the situation and we’ll negotiate a new timeline. Speak naturally in [language].”

Social Scenarios

“Role-play: We’re at a dinner party in [country]. We’ve just met. Ask me about my life, hobbies, and what brought me to [country]. I’ll practice casual conversation and cultural small talk in [language].”

✅ Quick Check: Think about a real situation where you’d need to use your target language. Can you describe that scenario in enough detail for an AI to role-play it? Write that prompt now.

Building Speaking Confidence

The Ladder Approach

Start with controlled practice and gradually increase freedom:

Level 1: Scripted responses

“Give me a conversation in [language] with my responses written out. I’ll read my parts aloud and practice pronunciation.”

Level 2: Guided responses

“Ask me questions in [language] and provide 3 possible response options. I’ll choose one and try to expand on it.”

Level 3: Open conversation with heavy support

“Talk to me in [language]. If I get stuck, give me the word or phrase I need. Correct every significant error.”

Level 4: Natural conversation with light support

“Have a natural conversation in [language]. Only help me if I explicitly ask. Note errors for discussion afterward.”

Level 5: Full immersion

“We’re speaking only [language] for the next 10 minutes. No English. If I don’t know a word, I’ll try to describe it in [language].”

Conversation Strategies for When You’re Stuck

When you can’t find the right word:

Describe it: “The thing you use to…” / “It’s like… but…”

Use a simpler word: Replace the specific word with a general one you know

Ask in the target language: “How do you say [describes concept]?”

Keep talking: Don’t freeze. Use what you know. Communication trumps perfection.

“During our conversations, if I describe a word I don’t know in [language], tell me the word, have me use it in a sentence, and continue the conversation.”

Pronunciation Practice

AI can help with pronunciation through text-based feedback:

“I’m going to write how I think these [language] words are pronounced using English approximations. Tell me if my pronunciation understanding is correct and guide me to the right sounds: [list words with your pronunciation attempt].”

“What are the 5 most common pronunciation mistakes English speakers make in [language]? For each, explain the correct sound and give me 5 words to practice.”

Conversation Logs and Progress

After each practice session, review:

“Summarize our conversation. List: 3 new words I learned, 2 grammar patterns I used correctly, 2 areas for improvement, and 1 topic we should revisit next time.”

Exercise

Complete three conversation practice sessions:

1. Beginner scenario: Order food at a restaurant (5 minutes)
2. Personal topic: Discuss your hobbies or job (5 minutes)
3. Challenge round: Role-play a scenario you’d actually face (5 minutes)

After each, ask AI for a summary of what you did well and what to improve.

Key Takeaways

• Speaking fluency requires actual practice, not just knowledge about the language
• AI removes the biggest barrier to speaking practice: fear of judgment
• Scenario-based practice prepares you for real situations you’ll actually encounter
• Use the ladder approach to gradually increase conversation difficulty
• When stuck, describe, simplify, or ask rather than freezing
• Review conversations after each session to identify patterns and track progress

Up next: In the next lesson, we’ll dive into Immersion and Input to surround yourself with the language outside of study sessions.