Read-Aloud Dialogue Practice

We're all very familiar with the model dialogues that are written in textbooks and other materials. They are supposed to demonstrate ways to use new words and phrases in context and conversation. These dialogues have the potential to be very useful, but they don't usually have the best results. This is not because of the dialogue, but because of how we use it.

When working by yourself or with a partner, don't just read the lines of dialogue aloud, the way you would read a paragraph out loud to the class or read a story to a child. When we do that, we tend to worry more about "sounding fluent" in public, which usually means reading as quickly as possible. When that happens, it is almost as if the words on the page are only processed in two places: our eyes to read them, and our mouths to say them, bypassing our brains completely! So the question is, how can we really make these dialogues as useful as possible for maximum learning?

For me, there is one simple rule: when practicing a model dialogue, you cannot read (with your eyes) and speak at the same time. Here's how that works:

First, since it is a dialogue, consider the conditions of real conversation: we make eye contact with people when we talk to them. You can't do that if you are both reading from a page, right? So when it is your turn to read, take a moment to look at the next phrase, try to memorize it - even if just a few words - then cover the paper with your hand and look at your partner, then say as much as you can remember.

If you forget, that's okay! Your partner can help you, or you can simply look at the page again. But if you look at the page, you must not speak again until you have stopped reading and are making eye contact with your partner.

That also means that the listener's behavior must change. When your partner is speaking, you must make eye contact with him or her, and really listen to what he or she is saying. You cannot be planning ahead, reading your next line in anticipation of your turn. That's not conversation, is it?

Of course, this takes a lot longer than simply racing through it the old-fashioned way. But it's an investment of time. It will really help with overall conversational skills because you are truly thinking about the phrases as you go, which helps with memory and application. Don't rush, and don't be frustrated. Learners - take your time! And teachers - make sure to give your students enough time to do it!

Finally, I recommend practicing the entire dialogue (or parts of it, if it is very long) four times. Why four? Because the first time the speakers are just getting used to the words and phrases. The second time is more fluent and gives the material a chance to "sink in." The third and fourth time learners will change roles, with the same experiences as in the first two times, but they get to experience all the lines from both perspectives. You'll be surprised how important that is, and what a difference it makes!

So give it a try, and then come back and leave us a comment about how it works for you and/or your students!