Guide • Speaking
Output and feedback: speak early to stop freezing
I could understand questions at the counter, but when it was my turn, my mouth went blank. Speaking early and getting tiny corrections changed that.
Output forces you to notice the gaps. Feedback fixes the gaps. That is the loop.
TL;DR: Say one small line, get a small correction, then fix it later.
What to do today: Use one phrase and ask if it sounds OK.
Why output matters
Swain’s Output Hypothesis says speaking pushes you to process language more deeply. You notice what you cannot say, which tells you exactly what to study next.
In practice, that means one short sentence a day can teach you more than ten silent flashcards.
Why feedback matters
Interaction research shows that small feedback in conversation helps learning stick. When someone repeats your sentence in a cleaner way, your brain has a direct before and after.
You do not need a tutor. You just need a tiny correction you can repeat later.
A plain English example
You say, “I go to Shibuya yesterday.” Your friend replies, “I went to Shibuya yesterday.” You repeat the corrected sentence once. That small correction is the feedback. It tells you what to fix and what to keep.
The 10 minute output loop
- Pick one situation. Clinic check-in, konbini, or the station.
- Prepare three lines. Keep them short.
- Say them once. Real life or a Scenario drill.
- Ask for one correction. A friend or coworker is enough.
- Write it down. One fix is enough for today.
- Repeat tomorrow. Use the corrected version.
Example: check a sentence with a friend
Use this when you are chatting and want a quick correction without making it awkward.
Is this wording OK?
kono iikata de ii? この言い方でいい？
Simple and casual. Perfect with friends.
How would you say it naturally?
shizen ni iu to dou iu? 自然に言うとどう言う？
Great for getting a more natural version.
Say it once more.
mou ichido itte. もう一度言って。
Short and casual. Good for friendly chats.
Say it a bit slower.
chotto yukkuri itte. ちょっとゆっくり言って。
Helps you hear the correction clearly.
Me: kinou shibuya ni iku. (昨日渋谷に行く。)
Friend: kinou shibuya ni itta yo. (昨日渋谷に行ったよ。)
Me: kono iikata de ii? (この言い方でいい？)
The takeaway
The goal is not perfect Japanese. The goal is a daily habit of small output plus one small fix.
If you do this for a few weeks, you stop freezing because speaking stops being special. It becomes normal.
- Say one short line. Even if it is messy.
- Get one corrected version. From a friend, coworker, or partner.
- Repeat it tomorrow. Out loud, once.
- Store it. Add it to Anki or a short Scenario drill so you can reuse it.
Related guides to practise with
Sources
If you want low pressure speaking practice
TabiTalk lets you rehearse short scenarios before you speak to someone real. You can try it on iOS or Android.