Developing speaking skills in conversation classes

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the issues and challenges connected with teaching conversation classes in a university context. It briefly discusses the theoretical background of communication studies related to communicative competence and psychological aspects of communicative behaviour of a language learner, that is, willingness to communicate, communication apprehension, and self-perception. The section devoted to implications gives hints and possible solutions which can be implemented in order to make conversation classes engaging and effective. The final part of the present chapter offers a list of tasks and questions which can be used in the process of designing, planning, and conducting conversation classes.