Why you should always speak the target language

Hello there!

Today, I'd like to dive into a question that many language teachers ask themselves: Do I always have to speak the target language in the classroom? It's a topic that stirs opinions and discussions among educators.

Immersion works

In my experience, the answer is a clear yes. Speaking the target language as much as possible creates an environment where learners are surrounded by the language. They don't need to understand every word, as long as they get the message and get used to the language. They hear it, may try to speak themselves and, over time, may even start to think in it. This kind of immersion is very important. It is much more effective than only using the language from time to time.

Why not use a bridge language?

Using a bridge (or auxiliary) language can be tempting, especially when you want to explain something difficult. But this can be unfair to learners who do not speak that language well.

“If, as a teacher, you often use a bridge language, you are effectively telling your learners that the target language is too difficult.”

This is especially important in multilingual classrooms, where learners may have very different language backgrounds. If you always use one other language to explain things, some learners may feel left out.

Of course there are exceptions

Of course, there are situations where using another language can be useful. For example, in a foreign language classroom, you might compare the learners’ first language with the target language. This can help them understand certain grammar points more quickly. Or in a stressful situation, you may want to speak to the learner in their own language.

But it is important to keep a good balance. Translation should always support learning, not take the place of using the target language.

Learning through context

When you use the target language all the time, you also give learners many chances to discover new words naturally. This kind of incidental learning is very valuable. It often happens through context, for example when you tell a story, explain something or have a conversation with your learners. When you translate too much, the learners actually understand everything, but don't pick up the new language!

“What I consider a very important reason for speaking the target language as often as possible is that it gives learners the chance to pick up lots of new words from context.”

Final thoughts

As teachers, we can create a classroom where learners feel encouraged to use the language they are learning. By making the target language the main language of the classroom, we give learners more opportunities to hear it, understand it and use it.

And the more they use the target language, the more confident they can become.

For more ideas and practical tips, listen to the full episode on Spotify or watch it on YouTube!

Happy teaching!

Peter Schoenaerts