Good feedback for an English speaking partner is specific, kind and limited: point out one thing they did well, one or two mistakes that matter most, and give the correct version with an example. Agree before you start whether you want corrections during the conversation or only at the end (usually at the end is better), focus on mistakes that affect understanding, and use a simple structure like “keep, change, try”. Good feedback helps your partner improve without making them afraid to speak.
- Agree on feedback rules before you start.
- Correct at the end, not in the middle of someone’s sentence.
- Two corrections are useful. Ten are overwhelming.
- Always include what went well, specifically.
- Practise giving and receiving feedback in the free online English practice rooms.
The partner who corrected everything
Imagine two learners practising on a video call. Every time one of them speaks, the other jumps in: “Not ‘informations’, it’s ‘information’.” “You said ‘he’ but she’s a woman.” “It’s ‘have been’, not ‘am’.” After ten minutes, the first learner speaks in tiny, careful sentences and then stops speaking almost completely.
The corrections were all right. The method was wrong. Feedback that interrupts and piles up teaches people to stay quiet. Feedback at the right moment, in the right amount, teaches them to improve.
Agree on rules first
The keep, change, try method
| Part | What to say | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Keep | Something specific they did well | “Your story about the trip was really easy to follow.” |
| Change | One or two important mistakes, with the correct version | “You said ‘I am living here since 2019’. Try ‘I have lived here since 2019’.” |
| Try | A small challenge for next time | “Next time, try using one phrasal verb, like ‘look forward to’.” |
Polite feedback phrases
- “Can I give you a small tip?”
- “That was really clear. One thing you could try is…”
- “I noticed you said… A more natural way is…”
- “I understood you, but it might be clearer to say…”
- “Great job. I liked how you…”
Which mistakes to correct first
- Mistakes that change meaningHe and she mix-ups, wrong tense that confuses the timeline.
- Pronunciation that blocks understandingA word you genuinely couldn’t understand.
- Repeated mistakesThe same error three or four times.
- Useful upgradesA more natural phrase they could use next time.
- Small slipsUsually skip these. Everyone makes them.
Receiving feedback well
- Say thank you, even if it stings a little.
- Repeat the corrected sentence aloud right away.
- Write it down in a mistakes notebook.
- Ask for an example if you don’t understand the correction.
- Use it in your next session on purpose.
Practise together
Try the keep, change, try method with a partner in the free online English practice rooms. If you’re organising regular sessions, read how to start an online English speaking club, and use our 15 role-play scenarios to give each session a clear focus.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Should I correct my speaking partner's mistakes during conversation?
Usually it is better to wait until the end of their turn or the session. Interrupting can make people afraid to speak.
How many corrections should I give?
One or two important corrections per session, plus one specific strength, are more helpful than a long list.
What is the keep, change, try method?
Keep: something they did well. Change: one or two key mistakes with the correct version. Try: a small challenge for next time.
Which English mistakes should I correct first?
Mistakes that change meaning or block understanding, then repeated mistakes. Small one-off slips can usually be ignored.
Start a private video room in one click and invite friends to practise English together.
Guides for this tool
Guide · 3 min readHow to Start a Free Online English Speaking Club (Step by Step)
Guide · 3 min read40 English Conversation Topics for Speaking Practice (With Questions)
Guide · 3 min readEnglish for Video Calls and Online Meetings: Phrases for Every Moment
Guide · 4 min readEnglish for Freelancers: How to Talk to Clients on CallsWant a tool, website or app like this for your business?
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