Language immersion programmes don’t always work. This opening remark might seem a little surprising, because it goes against the grain of what countless online articles say. For some time now, immersion programmes have been touted as the shortcut to learning a new language.
Language immersion courses can render fantastic short-term results, but many students develop false expectations that progress will come automatically. Learning a new language doesn’t come easily – it takes work and dedication. The following case studies reveal some of the major misconceptions that surround immersion courses. This will hopefully help you get the most out of an immersion course, if you decide to join one.
Fallacy 1: You will speak the target language in a different country
This fallacy, which is also the major selling point of almost every immersion course, is based on the belief that travelling to a different country will force you to speak the target language every day. The reality is that the major language learning hubs throughout the world attract students from similar backgrounds. These students are able to enjoy a decent social existence by isolating themselves and speaking in their native tongues every day.
Fallacy 1 explained: A Korean case study
When I taught elementary school English in South Korea, I noticed that all the students who had travelled abroad spoke much better English than those who had not. However, when my older Korean friends went to Vancouver to study English, their proficiency didn’t develop as impressively as that of the younger students. This trend couldn’t be blamed on the Korean education system, which is founded on diligence and studiousness. It was because the younger students were placed in a situation that forced them to speak English every day. The older students spent most of their time in Korean clusters, which allowed them to speak their native language.
To overcome this problem, you have to be willing to mingle with native speakers of the target language. This doesn’t mean that you should avoid your friends from back home, but you should always try to immerse yourself in social settings where the target language is spoken. You should ask your friends to speak to you in the target language, rather than accommodating you in your native tongue.
Fallacy 2: Smaller towns offer better immersion
Many people believe that if you go to a small city then you will have a better immersion experience than someone who enrols for a course in a larger city. As fewer people will speak English in a smaller community, in theory you will be forced to speak the target language more. The problem with this reasoning is that it underestimates the impact of globalisation, which has allowed English to spread throughout the world. Today, you will find English speakers no matter where you go.
Fallacy 2 explained: Twins in Germany
Consider the following scenario: twin brothers decide to study German in Germany. The twins are equally studious, but want different study abroad experiences. The first twin wants to study in a bigger city, so he signs up for a German school Berlin offers. While in Berlin, he attends his classes every day. At night he hits the town with friends from the school. They speak English and German equally and meet many locals on their long nights out. The second twin, who enrols at German school Freiburg offers, has a quieter experience. He also attends all his classes, but rarely goes out at night. His days are spent speaking to the locals, and he generally goes to bed quite early. He is less socially active than his brother, but he is also able to meet an equal number of German and English friends.
In reality, you can have an enjoyable and successful immersion experience no matter where you go. The onus is always on you to go out and make new friends. Furthermore, class attendance is essential to progress – if you don’t attend the classes, then your proficiency in the target language will not improve.
Fallacy 3: Immersion guarantees language growth
This is the most common fallacy when it comes to language immersion programmes. There seems to be a misconception that if you attend immersion courses your language skills will automatically improve. This misconception couldn’t be further from the truth.
Fallacy 3 explained: Carlos Tévez
The Argentinian footballer Carlos Tévez, who has spent 5 years playing football in England, is the perfect example of how immersion doesn’t guarantee language growth. Tévez still relies on translators when it comes to interviews, and his language ability shows very little improvement from when he first arrived in England.
Tévez’s slow progress is attributable to the combination of his severe homesickness and the fact that he is always able to rely on an assistant to help him with the language. Both problems can hinder the progress of students enrolled on immersion courses. The teachers are always on standby to help, and students who feel homesick might take advantage of this help and eventually rely on it.
Homesickness is inevitable for most people who live away from home, but you can overcome the negativity by thinking of the immersion course as a small holiday. It is also important to only accept help when you really need it. You must remember that learning a language is difficult and that it requires patience and perseverance.
Getting the most out of an immersion course
When you start your immersion course, you need to discard these fallacies and focus on working hard. Language learning is not an automatic process and it is easy to fall into traps that can slow down your progress. The best way to gain impressive short-term results from a language immersion course is by studying hard and focusing on speaking the target language as much as possible.
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