Language Immersion
When you begin a foreign language class or start your own self-teaching of a foreign language, the first thing you should do is gather your supplies. You stop by your local bookstore or hop on to amazon.com and pick up a basic beginner’s level textbook, a dictionary, and maybe a phrasebook.
Next you begin planning for your course. Either you make your daily study schedule based on your class schedule, or you make your own self study plan. You might choose to spend 30 minutes, one hour, or two hours a day studying. You begin your program and spend your designated time studying grammar and vocabulary.
Is there anything wrong with this setup? Of course, not! If you want to learn a language slowly and inefficiently, then go right ahead with that plan.
If you want to learn a language quickly and efficiently, then you need to use the language learning technique called language immersion.
Language immersion is a powerful language learning technique. Through language immersion, you “immerse” yourself in the language. This means going beyond a set textbook schedule.
Surround yourself with the language
If you are studying Spanish, replace some of your favorite reruns with the Spanish channel. Even if you can’t understand it, try and listen careful to what they are saying. You might be able to understand some of it based on the setting, situation, and this mannerisms and expressions.
By listening to the speech, you will improve your listening comprehension and pronunciation. If you can, try to repeat what you say.
Use every free moment and opportunity
Don’t just hold yourself to spending a small set time everyday. Carry flashcards around with you with vocabulary words. Study and quiz yourself when you are waiting and have free time.
If you have a long commute or spend any time in a car, ditch the radio and listen to a learning program such as Pimsleur
Think and speak in your language
Of course, if you know someone who is fluent in your target language, spend time with them speaking, listening, and communicating. If you don’t know anyone, don’t waste your thoughts, try to think in your language. If you are alone or not shy, practice out loud.
Take advantage of your love for reading
If you love to read fiction and want to read the latest book by your favorite author, buy the book in your target language. For example, if you are studying Spanish and want to read _________’s latest copy of _________, pick it up in Spanish ________. You get to read a book you already wanted to read, but you also get to practice your language at the same time.
Find a friend
Find a friend who is learning the same language as you. You can study and practice together. Go out to lunch and vow to only speak in your target language.
If you can’t find anyone, join an immersion program. Search locally for a group to practice your skills.
If you can’t find anyone nearby to practice with, find a pen pal through email or snail mail and write in the language. If you find someone who knows your target language and is trying to learn English, have each of you write in your target languages and correct each other’s work. It’s a great way to help each other.
Learning a language can be slow and boring or fast and fun if you use the very effective technique of language immersion.