2.1.7. For those who want to start talking in the first session

Your major focus during the early days of language learning should be on learning to understand the language. Of course, learning to say things like hello and good-bye at the very outset is unavoidable. But some language learners tell me that as soon as they start learning to understand the language by means of TPR, picture descriptions, etc, they simply must start attempting to say all those things that they are learning to understand. For some learners, this may well be true. In other cases, language learners simply cannot imagine learning to comprehend without attempting to speak, because they have never given it a try. In any case, the issue is controversial, with worthy supporters on both sides. I am a strong believer in what is called delayed oral production. I believe that most people will learn far more quickly if they concentrate heavily on learning to comprehend during the early days of language learning. But you may not agree. If you prefer to start speaking during your first session, you should still follow the sequence of first learning to understand words and sentences, and then basing your speaking attempts on what you have learned to understand. For example, once you understand the expressions which the LRP has used in describing the pictures, you can say those things yourself, perhaps in reference to new pictures where those expressions make sense. In some of my suggestions I recommend you respond to the LRP by pointing at pictures or objects. You may prefer to respond orally, using words and phrases such as here, there, this one, that one, rather than merely by pointing. In connection with TPR activities, once you understand the TPR instructions, you can start learning to say what it was that you did when you responded to an instruction. For example, if the instruction is “Take off your glasses”, you can take off your glasses, and then say “I took off my glasses.” Or the LRP can perform the actions that you have learned the words for, and you can tell her what she did. But I don't really recommend this during the early period of language learning, and I'll have more to say about the issue shortly.