Because of this approach, Seo never made friends with any of the
teachers. Ironically, had he just talked to us as people, without focusing on
English, he would have easily made a number of English-speaking friends.
He would have had the opportunity for many more real conversations.
Unfortunately, Seo is not unique. Many learners are obsessed with
“practicing” their English. Because their focus is on practice, these learners
search desperately for “conversation partners.” Yet, by insisting that others
correct their mistakes or offer English advice, these learners usually drive
away native speakers who would otherwise be happy to chat with them.
This is why you must not try to “practice” English with native speakers.
Instead of practicing, simply focus on being a true friend. Communicate,
without focusing on the English language. Talk about your shared interests.
Ask questions and listen to their answers. Show your appreciation and
understanding. In other words, treat them just as you would a friend who
speaks your own language.
One of the best ways to do this is to meet people who share a common
passion. For example, if you love movies, join online forums dedicated to
movie lovers. Join international fan clubs dedicated to your favorite movies
or musicians. Connect with others who share a hobby with you.
When you communicate with these people, talk about your shared
passion. Never ask them to correct your English. Don’t apologize for your
English. Don’t ask for any English advice at all. They are not your English
teachers, they are your friends. You’ll learn far more by just chatting with
them than by trying to make them your personal tutor.
Error Correction Is Useless Anyway
A meta research study at the University of Southern California found that
error correction has no impact at all on spoken English. In other words,
students whose verbal errors were corrected showed no improvement, and
were similar to students who were not corrected. The conclusion: verbal
error correction is useless.
