Why Chatting Does Not Lead to Good English

Introduction - why chatting does not lead to good English

In this article, I want to explain why I do not ‘do’ chat.

Now, you might be upset by that. So, I shall give you some reasons that I believe are well-founded – ‘pedagogically sound’, in other words. First, let me explain that term ‘pedagogically sound’ by giving you an example. If I were to examine your ability to give a presentation in class without during the semester teaching you how to give a presentation, then that would be ‘pedagogically unsound’. Why should I grade your ability to give a presentation? Exams are designed to test what you know, not what you do not know, right?

It follows then, that to expect you to be able to engage in chat (writing/typing or talking/speaking) with you would be counterproductive. It would be 'pedagogically unsound'.

The problem remains: how do you practice your speaking with me? How do you practice your writing with me? And those activities practice your reading and listening comprehension skills too.

So, I told you that I do not ‘do’ speaking or writing or listening practice—for free anyway. It is useful to me to determine your English level and whether your skills are high enough to undertake my advanced level Modules. I do not teach beginners.

I do, however, offer the chance for you to practice your speaking (and writing in chat) ONLY if you have bought and learned any of My ‘simply better’ Modules. It is part of my LEARNING SUPPORT.

More about my reasons for why chatting is counterproductive

The word counterproductive means 'having the opposite effect'. In other words, you think it is helping you improve your English but it actually does not lead to good English.

So, let me say a little more about the reasons that I do not participate in any extended ‘chatting’ with you. I said that it is pointless, it is of very little use. Even you would agree that unless you are knowledgeable about grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, spelling, and whether you can write in complete sentences, then our time together ‘chatting’ becomes tedious, very hard work for both of us because you would not be making sense to me. And I might not be making sense to you either.

We forever would be asking, “What do you mean?” or “I don’t understand you.” Or I would be spending time correcting your poor English — ‘one off’ instances that correct your English one point at a time. OK, maybe it helps, but unless you can apply the lesson in other contexts, it really is a very slow, and as I said, difficult way to improve your English.

Chat becomes more meaningful ONLY after you have studied My ‘simply better’ Methods Modules, especially Module A. But not before.

Opportunities for meaningful practice

When you have understood how Module A will improve your English quickly— enabling you to be using almost 100 percent perfect grammar, writing in complete sentences, then you will understand that as we chat you will have great practice because I will be giving you the chance to use your skills. And I will see for myself how much your English will have improved. That is when the hair on the back of my neck will rise because I will be so pleased for you that your English will be so much better.

Then new doors will open for you. Find willing English speakers, teach them how to engage with you (you will KNOW what to teach them after studying My ‘simply better’ Method: Module A) so that they can help you practice your writing.

Teaching someone something ultimately helps you really learn the subject.

Then, it is a short step to gaining speaking and listening practice. Use the same idea to ‘talk’ (not type) with your English-speaking friends.

Then your English expression REALLY takes off; it really does have the chance of becoming more perfect.

Conclusion

In this article, I have given you the reasons for why chatting (in all its forms) does not lead to good English until your grammar and vocabulary have been developed. That is, your understanding of grammar and how to use it correctly has to be improved first. My ‘simply better’ Method: Module A gives you the basis for perfecting your skills to enable you to PRACTICE those skills in chat with me or other English speakers.

You can purchase My 'simply better' Method: Module A at my website very easily: Go back to the Home Page if you are reading this at the website - or go to:

www.apexenglishtutoring.com.au

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(c) Apex English Tutoring June 2021 - Updated Nov 2023

Michael

About the Author

Michael Finemore, MA (Research) CQU, TEFL/TESOL Certificate, an experienced English Teacher, is the Owner-Operator of Apex English Tutoring.