Fluency vs Accuracy: Empowering Confident Language Learners
By: Dr. Karyn A. Koven | That moment when you want to say something in a new language, but a little voice in your head pipes up: “Wait, is that the right verb tense? Am I pronouncing that correctly? Oh no, I’m going to sound silly!” Sound familiar? Whether you’re an adult learner or a parent watching your learner navigate the complexities of fluency vs accuracy in language learning, the pressure to be perfectly accurate can feel overwhelming.
Instead, what if we told you that the key to truly unlocking a new language lies not just in flawless grammar, but in the confidence to communicate? Much like learning to ride a bike, students don’t master language by memorizing every rule first. They get on the “bike,” wobble a bit, and build skill through real use. Consequently, confidence fosters fluency, and fluency allows accuracy to take root. With enough real conversation, learners begin to internalize grammar, syntax, and vocabulary more naturally and effectively in the journey towards balanced fluency vs accuracy.
Understanding Fluency vs Accuracy in Language Learning
In March 2025, LanguageBird hosted a professional development session for instructors as part of our ACTFL Fundamentals Expert Series. The session, entitled “Fluency vs Accuracy: Unlocking Their Synergy Through Meaningful Communication Strategies,” was led by the esteemed Claudia Kechkian, Director of the National Spanish Exam and longtime world language educator. This session underscored the importance of understanding the interplay between fluency vs accuracy.
Notably, Claudia brings more than 30 years of experience to her teaching and research. She is a passionate advocate for communicative approaches to language instruction and has taught ESL and Spanish from elementary to high school. Additionally, she has taught as well as English grammar and medical Spanish in postgraduate programs. She holds a Master’s in the Teaching of the Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures from the University of Alcalá in Spain and is currently pursuing her PhD. Ultimately, her mission is simple: to help students find joy, curiosity, and progress through language learning.
During the session, Claudia explored how fluency and accuracy can coexist through practical, research-based techniques. Instructors were encouraged to build real-world activities that develop confidence while naturally improving language proficiency.
Meara Glover, M.S. Ed.L., LanguageBird Head of School, shares: “Our guest presenter gave instructors the opportunity to step into the learner’s shoes and experience strategies that foster more authentic communication in the classroom. Through visuals, role-playing, and guided practice, we explored how grammar and accuracy can be taught implicitly allowing students to gain confidence, shed the fear of “getting it wrong”, and build fluency naturally. It was a powerful reminder of the impact of intentional, immersive teaching, which is the foundation of what we do at LanguageBird.”
The Role of Mistakes in Achieving Fluency vs Accuracy: Research Insights
Furthermore, research supports the idea that mistakes are a crucial part of language acquisition and the development of both fluency vs accuracy. Specifically, a study published in the British Journal of Educational Psychology found that learning from errors is an effective strategy. Researchers discovered that when teachers dive into the nature of errors and work with learners to determine how to avoid them in the future, learners engage more deeply in the learning process.
Similarly, psychologist Janet Metcalfe emphasizes the importance of corrective feedback in her 2017 paper, Learning from Errors. She states, “Corrective feedback, including analysis of the reasoning leading up to the mistake, is crucial. Aside from the direct benefit to learners, teachers gain valuable information from errors, and error tolerance encourages students’ active, exploratory, generative engagement.”
This emphasis on learning from mistakes also appeared in Edutopia’s list of the 10 most significant education studies of 2024, which highlighted how error analysis and feedback improve learning outcomes across subjects. In particular, language learners benefit from structured opportunities to reflect on and correct mistakes in low-stakes environments.
A 2024 article from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley further supports this perspective. Researcher A. L. Eva explains that when students feel emotionally safe to make mistakes, they retain information better and remain more motivated to learn. The piece, Why Making Mistakes May Help Students Learn More, underscores the value of mistake-friendly environments. They promote deeper cognitive engagement and resilience. Both of which are essential for achieving fluency and accuracy in language learning.
Why One-to-One Learning Helps Learners Speak with Confidence
This research aligns with a core aspect of the LanguageBird approach. Particularly, LanguageBird leverages real, relevant conversation that prioritizes building confidence as a foundation for both fluency and accuracy. Our one-to-one courses provide students with a safe, low-pressure environment to make mistakes and experiment with the language. Therefore, learners don’t need to manage the anxiety of speaking in front of a large group, allowing for organic growth.
In Claudia’s session, she offered strategies that align perfectly with our conversational teaching model. For example, let’s say a student says, “Yo fui al parque ayer,” using “ser” instead of “ir.” Rather than halting the conversation for a grammar lesson, the instructor might respond:
“¡Ah, qué bien! ¿Qué hiciste cuando fuiste al parque?”
This subtle correction, called a recast, helps the student hear and internalize the correct form. It accomplishes this without interrupting the flow of conversation or damaging confidence. It’s about addressing accuracy in context, not in isolation.
This student-centered approach, which emphasizes communication and gentle guidance, resonates with the experiences of our learners.
For example, Spanish learner Leo shared:
“In comparison with other language classes I’ve taken, LanguageBird gives me the opportunity to hone my speaking and conversational skills, something that is impossible to achieve with a traditional online course. I have noticed a significant shift from learning arbitrary vocabulary to learning the core skills involved in speaking Spanish.”
This is why LanguageBird integrates valuable corrective feedback into every lesson. Our one-to-one approach allows us to give learners the individualized attention and guidance they need to overcome mistakes without losing confidence. This approach facilitates a positive cycle for improving both fluency and accuracy.
Similarly, LanguageBird’s Russian instructor, Nataliya P., shared her perspective:
“My favorite thing about LanguageBird is that students have the opportunity to study one-to-one with the teacher, and this way they get maximum attention and support to their educational needs.”
Fluency vs Accuracy: A Partnership, not a Choice
Ultimately, it’s essential to understand that fluency and accuracy don’t need to be at odds. Indeed, as Claudia Kechkian explained in the PD session, fluency vs accuracy can be balanced through meaningful communication strategies. These strategies make grammar feel less like a set of rules to memorize and more like a natural part of conversation.
By focusing on fluency first, learners gain the confidence they need to speak without fear of making mistakes. Over time, as they become more comfortable, accuracy comes naturally. This method builds language skills that are practical and intuitive.
The LanguageBird Advantage: Confidence and Communication
For learners, this approach leads to a genuine love for the language and a sense of accomplishment in using it confidently in real-world situations. Instead of focusing solely on memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules, learners can engage in authentic conversations that feel more natural and purposeful.
At LanguageBird, we are committed to creating confident, capable communicators. By thoughtfully integrating fluency vs accuracy, we empower students. They grow not just as language learners, but as proficient language users. You can learn more about our academic philosophy here.
🔗 References and Resources:
- Metcalfe, J., et al. (2025). Learning from errors versus explicit instruction in preparation for a test that counts. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 95, 11–25. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12651
- Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley: Eva, A. L. (2024). Why Making Mistakes May Help Students Learn More
