Dialogue Practice as “Thinking”: Foreign Language Learning Through Inner Speech (Preparation)
In the previous theory section, I explained what inner speech is and what its effects are. Here we will prepare to put it into practice.
What can we expect?
Of the five effects covered in the theory section, those mainly used in dialogue practice are #1, the rehearsal effect, and #5, the problem-solving effect. The other effects are present as well, of course.
Using inner speech for dialogue practice can resolve the issues of how to communicate when actually speaking, and how to apply unfamiliar words and phrases in sentences when learning them for use.
What to prepare
You can use any material you like for this conversation practice (media including the expressions you want to learn).
For example, you might use foreign-language books, dramas, anime, commercials, movies, vocabulary books, phrasebooks, collections of quotations, or anything else you prefer. First, think of a line or scene you like.
Note that there’s an important point here. Later on, it will become really important that you be able to imagine yourself saying that line in that scene, immersing yourself in the scene. Choose a scene where you can imagine yourself using the target language. However, as long as you can imagine it, you are free to use science fiction, thrillers, or anything else you like.
Introduction of practice methods
Here I will provide a brief introduction of the methods for practice, divided by text media, audiovisual media, and target sentences.
When using text media
- Select a sentence from your preferred medium and repeat it to yourself without speaking out loud
- Continue until the unfamiliar words or expressions in the sentence become meaningful and sound natural
- Repeat with attention to pronunciation and intonation as well as accuracy
- Create a new sentence continuing from the first one, or choose another excerpt to repeat
- Repeat steps 2 to 4 two or three times, reproducing a simple story
When using audiovisual media
- This might include dramas, movies, variety shows, and so on. Choose a phrase spoken by one character
- Continue until the unfamiliar words or expressions in the sentence become meaningful and sound natural
- Repeat with attention to pronunciation and intonation as well as accuracy
- Choose a phrase continuing from 1, or make up an expression likely to come next, and repeat
- Repeat steps 2 to 4 two or three times, reproducing a simple conversation
When using target sentences
Using a vocabulary book or phrasebook, make a sentence based on what you want to learn, and use it for steps 1 to 5 above
Next time, in the practice section, I will present a specific example using a TV drama.