English lessons and speaking club: your teacher offers both but which should you choose? This blog from teacher Geraldine Williams will help you choose.
Do you ever feel stuck in English even after learning the grammar and memorizing new words? You’re not alone. Many learners do very well in structured lessons, but when it’s time to actually speak in real life — they freeze. Their mind goes blank, or they get nervous about making mistakes. Here’s why: Lessons teach you the rules; speaking clubs help you *use* them. Both are important, but they play different roles in your learning journey.
Let’s explore why you need both English lessons *and* speaking clubs if you truly want to feel confident in English.
Lessons: Building Your Foundation
Think of lessons as the bricks and cement of your English house. Without them, the walls won’t stand strong. In lessons, you:
* Learn grammar rules (how sentences work, how tenses function).
* Expand your vocabulary in a structured way.
* Practice pronunciation with corrections from a teacher.
* Get clear explanations when something is confusing.
Lessons give you a safe, guided environment where mistakes are corrected and explained. This is where you build accuracy. Example: If you’re learning the difference between past simple (“I ate”) and present perfect (“I have eaten”), lessons give you the rules, exercises, and practice to understand. But here’s the truth: knowing the rule doesn’t mean you’ll automatically use it when chatting at a café or presenting at work. That’s where Speaking Clubs come in.
Speaking clubs or conversation club: Building Your Confidence
Speaking clubs are like the gym for your English. You already know how to “lift the weights” (grammar, vocabulary) — now you need to *train your muscles*. In a speaking club, you:
* Practice fluency by speaking without overthinking.
* Learn to express ideas quickly, even if your grammar isn’t perfect.
* Hear different accents and ways of speaking.
* Build confidence by speaking to real people, not just your teacher.
* Enjoy fun, real-life conversations instead of only exercises.
This is where you stop *translating in your head* and start actually *thinking in English*. Real story: One of my students, Lucy, used to avoid speaking in meetings at her job because she was nervous. She knew the grammar, but when her boss asked her a question, she froze. After joining our Speaking Club for three months, Lucy began to participate actively. Last week, she told me she now *enjoys* sharing her ideas in English.
English Lessons and Speaking Club: What’s the Difference?
Here’s a simple comparison:
| Lessons | Speaking clubs |
| Teacher-led | Group conversation-based |
| Focus on accuracy | Focus on fluency |
| Corrects mistakes | Encourages communication |
| Structured topics | Natural, everyday topics |
| Safe, small practice | Realistic, social practice |
Both are important. Lessons give you the *tools*, Speaking Clubs give you the *stage*. Imagine a football player. Training sessions teach the skills, but real matches build the ability to perform under pressure. English works the same way!
What If You Feel Shy in a Speaking Club?
Many learners hesitate to join because they’re shy. This is normal! But here’s the good news: Speaking Clubs are designed to be supportive and fun. Here are some tips if you’re shy:
- 1. Start small. You don’t have to talk a lot in the beginning — even short answers help you build courage.
- 2. Remember: everyone is learning. Nobody expects perfect English. Mistakes are part of the journey.
- 3. Prepare a few phrases. If the topic is “travel,” think of one sentence you can share before the club starts.
- 4. Listen actively. Even if you speak less, listening helps you learn natural expressions.
- 5. Celebrate progress. If today you said two sentences, next time aim for three. Small steps grow into big confidence.
Fact: Studies show that learners who practice speaking in groups at least once a week improve fluency *30–40% faster* than those who only take lessons. Interesting Facts About Speaking and Learning * Did you know? The average English learner understands 60% more vocabulary than they actively use. Speaking Clubs help close this gap. * People who practice speaking regularly are *twice as likely* to reach fluency than those who only study rules. * Shy learners often become the most confident speakers in clubs, because they gradually realize everyone else is nervous too!
How to Combine Both for Success
So, what’s the secret recipe? Balance. ✔️ Take lessons seriously — focus on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. ✔️ Join a weekly Speaking Club — apply what you learn in real conversations. ✔️ Be consistent — small, regular practice beats big, rare efforts. ✔️ Don’t fear mistakes — they are proof you’re growing.
Final Thought Lessons help you *understand* English. Speaking Clubs help you *live*it. If you want to not only know English but *use it confidently* in real life, you need both. Your English voice is already inside you — you just need the courage and practice to let it out. So… are you ready? Come join our Speaking Club. Let’s turn your lessons into real-life conversations, one confident sentence at a time.
