When I was conning in relative close quarters situation I would make like a chopping with my hand and lay it along the compass bearing and sight down it.
Either along the course I wanted (compass to visual) or in the direction I planned to go (visual to compass). Two things, it connects the abstract to the real (compass bearing to direction) and it just about eliminates the chances of an error when giving the course to the helmsman.
I managed to teach this to a couple of third mates, it forces them to conn from the center line and it quickly increased their confidence levels and competence.
Left to themselves they will mumble helm commands/ courses into the radar.