Despite speaking and writing classes being good in different situations, I think that the speaking class is much better in general. Speaking class provides an opportunity to present oneself and creates a space for communication, discussion, and active learning. It can easily be combined with writing to use the advantages of writing class. I see at least three outspoken reasons why speaking class should be prioritized: it helps develop rhetoric and critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and stress resistance.
First, participation in the speaking class increases the agility of thoughts, as one should speak and be persuasive to obtain a higher grade. It develops rhetoric and the ability to speak persuasively, correctly, and understandably. In addition, as one should think quickly and neatly, speaking right develops critical thinking. On the other hand, such quickness may result in superficiality, but it can easily be overcome. Elements from writing class, such as taking notes, can be implemented to record the important information and solve this issue.
Second, the speaking class promotes emotional intelligence development, a crucial quality for the modern world. The writing class does not have such an option, as it does not provide direct communication. However, students are often anxious when participating in speaking class. Moreover, it is more typical for students with better academic performance (Padmadewi, 2016). Still, the development of emotional intelligence via direct communications and understanding of each other also helps develop self-esteem, which reduces anxiety.
Third, as was mentioned, participation in the speaking class can cause anxiety. Still, it also has the other side: in the right studying conditions, it helps students to develop stress resistance. While such participation can be stressful, students will learn to cope with this stress under careful studying. Conversely, writing alone cannot help cope with stress: it is usually only the recording of information. After such an experience, they will understand how to conquer anxiety in their living condition, making their lives more comfortable and successful.
Finally, I suggest that speaking class has a great learning potential: it nurtures such essential qualities as rhetoric, emotional intelligence, and stress resistance. They help to understand various concepts of different branches of knowledge. Critical thinking and emotional intelligence make the brain more flexible and open to new information, while stress resistance enables one to understand more without drawbacks. In that way, speaking is an essential priority in the class and should be practiced when possible.
Reference
Padmadewi, N. N. (2016). Students’ anxiety in speaking class and ways of minimizing it. Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 5.