I like teaching by doing the best. Once I started playing the game I felt hooked so getting them to that first speaking opportunity will draw them in as they learn.

Yea, I think so - I could imagine this being really streamlined by just dropped me immediately into a conversation, with maybe the goal just written on a screen somewhere - no setup, no storyline, etc. I guess it just depends if most of your users are there for a gameplay experience vs a "practice" experience.