Why is it that so many students study English at school for so many years but have so little to show for it? Even many of the students who are "good" at English are unable to communicate spontaneously. There are, of course, exceptions to this, but there will be success stories whatever the methods used. There will always be students who are naturally good at languages, are motivated by a favorite teacher, have a lot of family support, have a chance to travel, or have an approach to learning which is compatible with the way they have been taught. But the success rate is far too low, and this must seriously bring into question some of the most basic assumptions we, as teachers, make in an English class.