When we founded our language school, why did we choose to name it talkingENGLISH?

We receive this comment every year at least once: ”It should be speakingENGLISH!” In this blog post we will clarify the difference to settle this matter conclusively ;).

The terms “talking” and “speaking” are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference in their meanings.

Talking refers to the act of communicating with someone by using words. It can be an informal, casual, or spontaneous way of exchanging information, thoughts, or feelings between people. Talking is often used to describe a more casual or informal way of communicating, such as chatting with friends, having a conversation over coffee, or engaging in small talk.

Speaking, on the other hand, refers to the act of addressing an audience formally or delivering a speech. It involves a more intentional, structured, and organized form of communication, where the speaker is focused on conveying a particular message or idea to their audience. Speaking can also refer to the ability to articulate words and express oneself clearly and effectively.

Speaking typically involves a higher degree of preparation, such as when giving a speech, delivering a presentation, or participating in a formal meeting, and talking, on the other hand, is often more casual and less structured. It usually involves a more natural and spontaneous exchange of information and ideas, and may be less focused on achieving a specific goal or outcome. When talking, people may use more colloquial language, and the conversation may flow more freely and in a less structured manner.

In summary, speaking is typically more intentional, planned and formal, while talking is often more spontaneous and informal.

However, ultimately, the most important thing is to focus on effective communication and to ensure that you are clearly conveying your message, regardless of the terminology used.

So back to the initial question: why did we name our language school talkingENGLISH? One of the reasons, particularly in its early stages (and it still is), was because we aimed to create a comfortable and relaxed environment where students could improve their ability to have natural and spontaneous conversations in English with growing confidence!