foster speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foster speaking" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing the encouragement or development of speaking skills, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "The program aims to foster speaking among students to improve their communication abilities."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The research was non-experimental in design and several steps were taken to actively foster speaking SE in this course.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

On Europe, McGuinness said he, rather than the pro-Brexit Foster, spoke for the majority of people – "unionists, nationalists and republicans" – who voted to remain in the EU.

The Guardian

In an interview on Thursday morning Ms. Foster spoke of her decision to stand by Mr. Gibson, saying that while his personal life was more public than most people's, "I don't actually think his troubles are as unusual as you might think".

The New York Times

In the film, Foster speaks directly to the camera about his experiences.

Huffington Post

A major goal of the program was to foster students' speaking proficiency but the test did not directly measure their speaking proficiency.

Language Testing in Asia

The test has four purposes: (1) to assess learning outcomes of English listening based on the senior high school curriculum for English, (2) to foster listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, (3) to bridge the gap between students' listening and communicative abilities in everyday situations, and (4) to link high school English education with globalisation (Chou 2015, 2016).

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

In February 1846 Stone intimated to Abby Kelley Foster that she was thinking of becoming a public speaker, but not until the following summer did a storm of controversy over Foster's speaking at Oberlin decide the matter for her.

Wikipedia

Foster foster foster!

Vice

Wouldn't she! Foster, who spoke Malay and had lived in Batavia, had already told a friend about her "confidential plan" to infiltrate a small Indonesian island and emerge as "the Great White Queen of Bali".

The New York Times - Books

The last time his foster mother spoke to him, Private Jones was in the desert, in a rush to use the phone before the next guy needed it, and asking for her prayers.

The New York Times

A teen transgender girl in foster care spoke.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to improve communication, consider using "encourage speaking" or "promote speaking" as clearer and more widely accepted alternatives to "foster speaking".

Common error

Avoid using "foster" with nouns that don't typically require nurturing or development. While "foster creativity" or "foster growth" are common, "foster speaking" can sound awkward. Opt for verbs like "encourage" or "develop" for more natural phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foster speaking" functions primarily as a verb ("foster") followed by a gerund ("speaking"). It's meant to convey the action of encouraging or developing the ability to speak. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is not standard and might cause confusion, so it's best to use alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "foster speaking" is technically understandable, it's not a standard or frequently used phrase in English. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not commonly recognized and might cause confusion. Therefore, it is advisable to use more common alternatives such as "encourage speaking", "promote speaking", or "develop speaking skills" for clarity and naturalness. These alternatives are more widely accepted and will likely result in better communication. The choice of alternative depends on the specific context, but aiming for clarity should be the priority when writing or speaking. Although appearing in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts, its infrequent usage suggests caution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encourage speaking

Replaces "foster" with a more common synonym, resulting in a more natural phrasing.

promote speaking

Similar to "encourage speaking", using a different synonym for "foster" for broader appeal.

cultivate speaking skills

Focuses on developing skills related to speaking, instead of simply encouraging the act.

develop speaking proficiency

Highlights the development of expertise in speaking.

improve speaking abilities

Focuses on improving existing skills.

nurture speaking talent

Implies a natural talent that needs development.

facilitate oral communication

Shifts the focus to communication, using more formal language.

advance public speaking

Specifically refers to public speaking contexts.

support spoken expression

Emphasizes the act of expressing oneself verbally.

build confidence in speaking

Highlights the emotional aspect of becoming a better speaker.

FAQs

What does "foster speaking" mean?

While not a standard phrase, "foster speaking" generally refers to encouraging or promoting the development of speaking skills or abilities.

What can I say instead of "foster speaking"?

You can use alternatives like "encourage speaking", "promote speaking", or "develop speaking skills" depending on the context.

Is "foster speaking" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "foster speaking" is less common and can sound unnatural. It's generally better to use more established phrases like "encourage speaking".

How can I use "foster speaking" in a sentence?

You might say, "The program aims to foster speaking among students through interactive activities." However, alternatives like "encourage speaking" might sound more natural.