Reasons why:
* Lack of fluency: Oral practice is crucial for developing fluency and confidence in speaking. Delaying it can lead to hesitancy and difficulty expressing oneself.
* Pronunciation errors: Speaking helps to solidify pronunciation and intonation patterns. Without regular practice, errors can become ingrained and difficult to correct later.
* Vocabulary retention: Speaking actively engages vocabulary, helping learners to remember and use new words. Delaying practice can hinder vocabulary acquisition.
* Grammatical accuracy: Oral communication allows learners to apply grammatical rules in real-time. Delaying practice can make it harder to internalize and apply these rules.
* Confidence building: Speaking practice helps to build confidence and overcome language anxiety. Delaying it can contribute to a sense of inadequacy and reluctance to communicate.
* Cultural immersion: Oral practice provides opportunities for authentic communication and exposure to different cultural perspectives. Delaying it can limit cultural understanding.
However, it's important to note that:
* Individual differences: Some learners may be more comfortable with delayed oral practice, while others thrive on immediate immersion.
* Learning styles: Different learning styles may favor different approaches to language learning.
* Contextual factors: Factors like access to language partners, cultural context, and learning objectives can influence the optimal timing of oral practice.
Recommendations:
* Start speaking early: Even if it's just a few minutes a day, make an effort to practice speaking from the beginning.
* Find opportunities for speaking: Engage in conversations with native speakers, join language exchange groups, or use language learning apps with speaking features.
* Don't be afraid to make mistakes: Errors are part of the learning process. The more you practice, the more you'll improve.
* Focus on communication, not perfection: Aim to communicate your thoughts and ideas effectively, even if your grammar or pronunciation isn't perfect.
In conclusion, while delaying oral practice can hinder language learning, it's not necessarily a deal-breaker. The key is to start speaking as soon as possible and create opportunities for regular practice.