The role of conversation in language skill development

Conversation plays a central role in language learning, but progress doesn’t come from speaking randomly or frequently alone. To truly enhance language skills through conversation, learners need to approach speaking with intention and the right strategies. Otherwise, conversations can quickly become repetitive and ineffective.

When conversations are used actively rather than passively, they help learners improve fluency, accuracy, vocabulary, and confidence at the same time. Here, we’ll discuss practical, conversation-focused tips that help turn everyday language exchanges into meaningful learning opportunities.

10 conversation-based tips to help transform everyday language exchange

1. Set a goal for each conversation

Before starting a conversation, it helps to know what you want to practice. Without a goal, conversations often stay in a comfort zone and rely on familiar words and structures. In short, unfocused conversations often reinforce what you already know instead of pushing you forward. While this isn’t inherently bad, growth happens outside of your comfort zone. Therefore, setting a clear learning objective allows you to:

• Pay attention to specific language patterns
• Focus on verb tenses or modal verbs
• Try to increase sentence length
• Use more strategic connectors
• Notice when you struggle and why
• Work on improving your listening comprehension
• Try to fine-tune pronunciation
• Measure improvement over time

For example, one conversation might focus on telling stories in the past tense, while another focuses on expressing opinions or asking follow-up questions. Even a simple goal makes your speaking practice more effective. This doesn’t mean you can’t engage in spontaneous conversation, but a learning goal is a good way to help grow towards fluency.

2. Prepare topics and key language in advance

Preparation doesn’t mean scripting the entire conversation, and memorizing scripts to recite during a language exchange will make your conversation feel artificial. Instead, focus on preparing flexible language tools to help you adapt in real time. This means giving yourself the tools you need to participate actively and confidently.

Useful preparation can include:

• A short list of conversation topics or questions
• Vocabulary related to those topics
• A few sentence starters and transitions
• Question formats that invite longer responses

These tools help reduce hesitation, keep conversations flowing, and allow you to focus more on communication than on searching for words.

3. Use a balanced language exchange format

In language exchanges, learning works best when both participants benefit equally. Without structure, one language can easily dominate the conversation. Try to focus on creating collaborative and intentional exchanges by:

• Dividing time clearly between languages
• Agreeing in advance on when to switch languages
• Keeping track of time during the conversation

It’s up to you and your language partner to determine the best way to divide the exchange; some people prefer more formal time structures, while others enjoy the flexibility of floating between two languages naturally. Regardless, balanced exchanges help maintain motivation and ensure that speaking practice remains consistent and fair for both learners.

4. Focus on clear and natural communication

Progress comes from producing language that is challenging but manageable. Trying to sound advanced too early can lead to frustration and frequent pauses. Therefore, regardless of your language level, communication is more valuable than trying to produce complex language just for the sake of it.

During conversations, focus on:

• Expressing ideas clearly, even with simple language
• Using complete but manageable sentences
• Keeping your message understandable rather than perfect

As confidence grows, more complex structures will naturally become easier to use.

5. Ask for feedback in a helpful way

Feedback is one of the biggest advantages of practicing with native speakers, but it works best when it’s specific. When it’s vague or misconstrued, it can overwhelm learners and may even increase anxiety surrounding speaking. Instead of asking for constant corrections, consider being more strategic with your feedback. For example, you could request feedback on mistakes that you make repeatedly (i.e., using the wrong form of a verb) or feedback on pronunciation. This can help keep the conversation comfortable while still supporting improvement.

With that being said, if you want to be corrected every single time you make a mistake, that’s okay, too. Everyone has different styles, and what matters most is communicating your preferences with your language exchange partner.

6. Practice active listening during conversations

Listening during conversation is not passive. It is a key source of input for vocabulary, grammar, and natural expression. In fact, strong conversations depend on listening as much as speaking. Active listening helps learners understand more and respond more naturally, but it’s a skill that takes practice. To listen actively:

• Pay attention to how ideas are expressed
• Notice commonly used phrases and expressions
• Be mindful of how tone and emphasis change meaning
• Ask follow-up questions to clarify the meaning

7. Reuse and reinforce language during the conversation

Repeating and reusing language during conversation reinforces learning and builds confidence. The key is remembering to do this and being consistent about it. This may include paraphrasing what your partner says during the conversation or reformulating sentences after receiving feedback, but it can also include using the vocabulary you learned later in the same conversation, or in ones you have in the near future.

8. Use conversations to build practical vocabulary

Conversation exposes learners to vocabulary that is commonly used in real situations, not just in textbooks. Still, any vocabulary that’s learned in isolation and not practiced often fades quickly. Conversation helps provide context that strengthens retention. To get the most from this:

• Ask about unfamiliar words or expressions
• Ask how words are used in different situations
• Learn how words are used in full sentences
• Request natural alternatives or synonyms
• Practice using new words before ending the conversation
• Write down useful phrases after the conversation

9. Build a consistent conversation routine

Language progress typically depends on regular exposure, making consistent speaking practice more effective than the occasional long session. The key is finding a way to integrate language exchange into your schedule in a sustainable way. Some ways you may be able to do this include:

• Short but frequent conversations
• A mix of casual and focused exchanges
• Different conversation partners over time
• Combining casual and goal-oriented conversations

Remember, a sustainable routine supports long-term fluency, while consistency helps reduce anxiety and build confidence naturally.

10. Reflect after each conversation

Finally, once your conversation has ended, don’t stop there. Reflection is an equally important part of learning, as it can help turn conversations into long-term improvements. After each speaking segment, take a few minutes to:

• Review new words or phrases
• Identify what felt difficult
• Decide what to focus on next time

Turning conversation into real language progress

At the end of the day, enhancing language skills through conversation requires more than simply talking. It involves intentional practice, active engagement, and thoughtful reflection. To help you avoid wasting effort, using a language exchange app like Tandem can make the entire process much easier. Tandem is a platform of over 35 million members worldwide, all looking to grow their fluency and forge friendships along the way. Download Tandem today to start transforming your everyday conversations into powerful learning experiences that lead to real, lasting progress.