Why Most English Programs Fail at Speaking—And What You Can Do About It

Let’s face it: Most English programs are failing where it counts most—speaking.

Sure, they’re full of grammar drills, vocabulary lists, and reading tasks. They tick the traditional boxes. But when it comes to helping students actually use English in real conversations?
They fall flat.

And that’s not just frustrating—it’s a major disservice to learners.

The Real Problem Isn’t Grammar—It’s Confidence

If you’ve spent time in an ESL or ELL classroom, you’ve seen this first-hand:

• Students who ace written quizzes but go silent in pair work

• Kids who know the rules but mumble when asked to speak

• Bright learners who shut down when it’s their turn to talk

This isn’t just a language issue—it’s a confidence issue.
And most programs aren’t built to address it.

Speaking often gets reduced to a quick activity at the end of class (if there’s time). There’s no structured progression. No consistent practice. No feedback loop.

That’s like handing students sheet music but never letting them play the instrument.

Why the System Isn’t Working

Here’s the truth no one likes to admit:

Speaking is messy.
It’s spontaneous, emotional, full of mistakes—and that makes it harder to teach, assess, and scale.

Speaking takes time.
You can mark 30 grammar worksheets in an hour. You can’t give meaningful speaking feedback to 30 students without serious time and effort.

Teachers are stretched thin.
Large class sizes, packed schedules, and high expectations leave little space for student talk time—especially with younger learners.

So speaking gets pushed aside.
And learners miss out on the one skill that actually lets them use English.

What Students Really Need

If we want students to grow as speakers, we need a different approach—one that puts confidence at the centre.

That means:

• Frequent, low-pressure speaking practice

• Encouraging effort over perfection

• Supporting teachers with tools that fit the real classroom

That’s exactly what Speakia was built to do.

Speakia: Designed for Speaking Confidence

Speakia isn’t just another curriculum add-on. It’s a confidence-first approach to spoken English, combining classroom-ready materials with an AI-powered practice app that makes speaking safe, supportive, and fun.

Here’s what makes it work:

Daily speaking routines: Short, targeted activities designed to build fluency over time—even with limited class time.

Smart, supportive AI: The app gives instant, encouraging feedback—focusing on progress, not perfection.

Playful, story-led practice: Characters, settings, and imaginative tasks help learners speak with purpose, not just repetition.

Low-prep, high-impact: Everything teachers need is ready to use—from printable cards to interactive slides.

Together, it’s a system that gives teachers more time, and students more chances to speak.

What You Can Do Today

Even without new tools, you can start closing the speaking gap now:

1. Make it part of your daily rhythm. Even 5–10 minutes of speaking each day builds fluency.

2. Create a culture of courage. Reward effort, not just accuracy.

3. Use models—but step back. Show students what good speaking looks like, then let them try.

4. Leverage technology. AI can’t replace teachers—but it can multiply speaking opportunities.

Most importantly:
Treat speaking as a core skill, not an afterthought.

Because confidence doesn’t come from worksheets.
It comes from using English—and being heard.