1995 Page 39 . . . The term conversation class has always puzzled me. In the context of a typical language school, it suggests that what takes place during class time is indeed a conversation, and perhaps even implies that conversation is actually being taught. If we pause to consider some of the characteristics of conversation, we soon realize that a conversation class cannot by definition exist.
Conversations have a small number of interlocutors.
In the local corner shop, for example, or over the garden fence, the number is usually not greater than two. Having made this rule, let's break it immediately. If we consider the teacher's role in a conversation class, we must also come to the conclusion that the teacher is not in any sense attempting to teach conversation. Perhaps the teacher simply arouses interest in a topic, preteaches vocabulary, sets a task, monitors performance, and gives feedback on the use of structure and lexis. And occasionally, there may be some teacher input on how to interrupt or to close a conversation politely.