Speak Your Way to Fluency: NUMA Institute's Speak 15 Course

Posted on July 28, 2025

Gaining proficiency in a new language can unlock a world of opportunities, whether you're aiming to master French or English. It can open doors to exciting travel experiences, new career paths, and the chance to connect with diverse cultures and people. If you're an English or French as a Second Language (ESL or FSL) learner, NUMA Institute's Speak 15 course offers a practical and effective pathway. This blog post will explore how this course, supported by research in language education, can help you build confidence and fluency.

What is NUMA Institute's Speak 15 Course?

The Speak 15 course at NUMA Institute is designed to get you speaking your target language—be it French or English—from day one. It focuses on using the language in real-life situations, moving beyond endless grammar exercises or rote memorization. The course runs Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 12:45 pm, and is structured to help you communicate naturally and confidently.

Small Groups, Big Benefits

One of the standout features of Speak 15 is its small class size, with a maximum of six students. This is a huge advantage for language learners! Research shows that learning in small groups is highly effective because it gives you more chances to speak and receive personal feedback from your teacher¹ [^1]. In a smaller setting, you might feel less shy to try out new words and phrases, and your teacher can provide more individualized attention to help you improve specific areas. This kind of environment encourages you to collaborate with your classmates, share ideas, and learn from each other, making the learning experience richer and more engaging² [^2].

Active Learning for Real-World Language Use

The Speak 15 course uses an "active language production" approach. This means you're not just listening; you're actively using French or English through debates, discussions, and games. This active way of learning is incredibly powerful for mastering a new language. When you actively participate, your brain works harder, which helps you remember new words and grammar better³ [^3].

Instead of passively receiving information, you're constantly stimulated to use the language. This helps you build confidence because you're regularly practicing speaking and reacting in your target language. It's like learning to ride a bike – you can read all about it, but you truly learn by getting on and pedaling! Active learning also helps you quickly understand how to put sentences together correctly and improves your pronunciation⁴ [^4].

Fluency, Accuracy, and Connection: The Winning Formula

NUMA Institute’s course balances three important areas: Fluency (30%), Accuracy (30%), and Connection (40%). Let's break down what these mean and why they are important:

• Fluency: This is about speaking smoothly and easily, without too many pauses. It's about getting your message across clearly. The course encourages you to speak often, helping you become more comfortable and natural in French or English.
• Accuracy: This refers to using correct grammar and vocabulary. While getting your message across is important, speaking accurately helps others understand you perfectly and makes you sound more like a native speaker.
• Connection: This focuses on being able to communicate meaningfully and appropriately in different situations. It's about understanding the cultural context and knowing how to adapt your language.

Many experts in language teaching agree that finding a good balance between fluency and accuracy is key⁵ [^5]. While some might argue that one is more important, both are crucial for becoming a well-rounded speaker. The "Connection" aspect ensures you're not just speaking correctly, but also effectively and appropriately in real-world situations, which is part of "communicative competence" in language learning⁶ [^6].

Debates, Discussions, and Games: Learning Through Interaction

The course uses debates, discussions, and games to help you learn. This is not just fun; it's also a very effective way to learn a language. Debates, for example, push you to think critically, organize your thoughts, and express them clearly in French or English⁷ [^7]. This also boosts your confidence and helps you react quickly, just like in real conversations⁸ [^8]. Discussions and games also create a relaxed and interactive environment where you can practice speaking without fear of making mistakes. This kind of "communicative language teaching" (CLT) is known to improve speaking skills and confidence because it focuses on using the language for real purposes⁹ [^9].

Who Can Join?

The Speak 15 course is open to all levels. If you are a beginner, there are specific start dates. If you are pre-intermediate or above, you can start any Monday. This flexibility makes it easy to fit the course into your schedule.

Conclusion

If you're an ESL or FSL learner or simply dreaming of speaking French or English confidently, NUMA Institute's Speak 15 course offers a well-rounded and effective program. With its small class sizes, focus on active learning, and balance of fluency, accuracy, and connection, you'll be well on your way to speaking authentic, functional French or English. The research shows that these methods truly work, helping you not just learn a language, but truly live it!

References:

[^1]: Sanako. (2025). What are effective small-group activities for language students? Retrieved from https://sanako.com/what-are-effective-small-group-activities-for-language-students
[^2]: Lindamood-Bell. (n.d.). The Benefits of Small Group Instruction. Retrieved from https://lindamoodbell.com/professional-development/the-benefits-of-small-group-instruction
[^3]: Sololingual. (2023). How To Unlock The Power Of Active Language Learning For Fluency And Confidence. Retrieved from https://www.sololingual.com/blog/active-language-learning
[^4]: BLCC. (n.d.). Why active learning is the best method for maintaining language proficiency. Retrieved from https://blcc.be/en/blog/active-learning-for-maintaining-language-proficiency
[^5]: Krstinić, M. (n.d.). STUDENTS' VIEWS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF FLUENCY AND ACCURACY IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE ACQUISITION. Retrieved from https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/350821
[^6]: EFLCafe.net. (n.d.). The Role of Communicative Competence in Modern Language Teaching. Retrieved from https://eflcafe.net/the-role-of-communicative-competence-in-modern-language-teaching/
[^7]: Gender Studies. (2024). Using Debates to Improve English Speaking and Critical Thinking. Retrieved from https://gender.study/reading-speaking-skills/debates-improve-english-speaking-critical-thinking/
[^8]: Sanako. (2025). What are the best debate activities to improve language communication? Retrieved from https://sanako.com/what-are-the-best-debate-activities-to-improve-language-communication
[^9]: Migration Letters. (n.d.). Role Of Communicative Language Teaching Approaches In Strengthening English Language Speaking Skills In ESL Learners. Retrieved from https://migrationletters.com/index.php/ml/article/download/10276/6847/25545