We’ve all participated in Free Talk sessions. They’re fun and easy-going. But how useful are they really?

The short answer is that engaging in meaningful conversation—where you really share ideas, ask questions, and express yourself—can transform your English learning journey.

Why? Because meaningful conversation pushes you to use English in a way that makes your brain notice what you know and what you still need to learn. This idea, called the output hypothesis, shows that speaking helps you improve because you’re actively creating language, not just listening.

Also, conversations give you a chance to interact with others, ask for help, and fix mistakes together. This back-and-forth communication, known as the interaction hypothesis, helps you learn faster and speak more effectively. It encourages you to use strategies like asking for clarification, repeating or rephrasing, and finding different ways to express your ideas when you don’t know a word. These skills, called strategic competence, make your communication smoother and help you keep the conversation going confidently, even when English feels hard.

But it’s not just about words—it’s about building understanding together. According to social constructivism, learning happens best when we connect ideas through conversation and shared experience.

These concepts remind us that real progress in English communication can come from conversations that are meaningful, interactive, and focused.

So, back to the original question. For conversation, or ‘free talk’, to truly confer these benefits, your session must be authentic, meaningful, and you must be motivated to engage deeply. This is where a skilled teacher plays a vital role. They facilitate this authentic interaction in a 1-2-1 session and help you get the most out of your time communicating.

Your teacher should also provide clear, thoughtful feedback on all of your communicative competences that have been involved in your conversation. This means not only grammar and vocabulary, but how you structure and connect your ideas; how you employ strategies to ensure clear communication; and how you effectively achieve challenging goals like persuading, influencing, criticising, requesting, etc.

With this expert guidance, your conversations become powerful learning moments that build real confidence and skill.

So, dive into meaningful conversations with purpose and passion. Each time you do, you’re not just speaking—you’re unlocking your true power as an English learner and getting closer to the confident speaker you want to be!