The Key to Learning a New Language
What I Have Learned from My Personal Journey of Learning Spanish
Learning a language has evolved as our world becomes more connected. Traditional memorization is frustrating and unquestionably doesn’t have the desired results compared to more contemporary ways available to nearly everyone. Despite years of studying, many can’t hold a simple conversation in the language they are pursuing. This is because they try to learn the “right” way, step by step. In the real world, this doesn’t happen! People all around the world learn their language through immersion!
Many people think the immersion learning method is only accessible if you live in a native-speaking country or if you are young. They aren’t wrong to say either, in fact, yes, it would be more ideal. But if you want to learn a language, these setbacks shouldn’t stop you from learning it effectively.
The Flaw of Memorization
Traditional language learning often relies heavily on memorization. The goal is usually to know a set of words and then how to put them together in a grammatically correct way. In Montessori education, this could be seen as a shortcut to perhaps the most important part of the learning process, recognition and active engagement. For example, a student might memorize that “perro” means “dog” in Spanish. However, if they hear someone say, “El perro está durmiendo en el sofá” (“The dog is sleeping on the couch”), they probably won’t understand what is being discussed. Without engaging with the word “perro” in stories and daily conversation, the student’s knowledge is going to be isolated and easily forgotten.
Benefits of Immersion Learning
1. Intuitive Learning
Unlike conventional teaching methods, which focus on memorization, immersion learning encourages thinking in the language, leading to many connections.
2. Improved Listening and Speaking Skills
Since immersion requires learners to use the language in real-time conversations, their listening and speaking skills develop much faster than their peers who are learning through a few interactions.
3. Accurate Pronunciation and Accent
Being immersed with native speakers or fluent guides helps learners pick up proper pronunciation and cultural norms without effort. Have you ever noticed that you want to change your accent when you are around others with a different accent? This is a natural process our brains have!
4. Cultural Exposure
Language and culture are deeply intertwined. Immersion gives learners exposure to traditions, customs, and social norms, making communication authentic.
5. Long-Term Memory
When learning a language, associating it with real-life experiences makes students understand vocabulary and grammar rules more effectively. Traditional teaching methods often result in forgotten material.
Immersion Learning in Different Settings
1. Virtual Immersion
If you are unable to travel, virtual immersion is a good way to go! Certain apps, podcasts, and virtual language exchange programs allow learners to practice in more of a real-life scenario.
2. Traveling
Perhaps the most effective way to learn a language is to go see it in action! If you have the opportunity to do this, you will learn at a much faster pace and get to understand the culture.
3. Immersion Classrooms
Montessori is a great example of an education method that has immersion classrooms. You can read more about why it’s important to introduce your kids to such a thing when they are young here: guidepostmontessori.com/language-immersion.
How can we create immersive experiences?
Not everyone has the opportunity to travel or study abroad for extensive periods of time in order to brush up on their language they are learning. Luckily, we live in a world where the merge of globalisation and digitalisation has produced many opportunities for learners to be exposed to all languages in a variety of contexts.
These include, but are not limited to:
Watching films and videos
listening to songs
engaging in online discussions
Attending online courses in your target language
Finding a long-distance study partner that can be mutually beneficial
Conclusion
The immersion method worked for me better than any other method. Unlike traditional teaching methods, which allowed me only to memorize for a short period of time, immersion allows learners to surround themselves with their target language and absorb a much more natural, faster, effective, and enjoyable learning process.
“The limits of my languages means the limits of my world.” – Ludwig Wittgenstein
