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Is Immersion Better Than Learning English Online Orin An Academy?

While immersion in an English-speaking country seems like an easy way to learn the language, the author found that just exposure to English through living abroad was not enough. They expected to pick up the language without putting in effort by just listening to songs and conversations, but found it difficult to retain vocabulary and participate without studying or practice. For effective language learning, immersion needs to be combined with dedicated study and practice, such as writing down words, finding language exchange partners, and using the language actively. All methods of language learning, whether immersion, online classes, or language schools, require significant time and effort to succeed.

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Furkan Okumusoglu
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85 views2 pages

Is Immersion Better Than Learning English Online Orin An Academy?

While immersion in an English-speaking country seems like an easy way to learn the language, the author found that just exposure to English through living abroad was not enough. They expected to pick up the language without putting in effort by just listening to songs and conversations, but found it difficult to retain vocabulary and participate without studying or practice. For effective language learning, immersion needs to be combined with dedicated study and practice, such as writing down words, finding language exchange partners, and using the language actively. All methods of language learning, whether immersion, online classes, or language schools, require significant time and effort to succeed.

Uploaded by

Furkan Okumusoglu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Is 

Immersion Better Than Learning English Online orin an Academy?

It’s a dream for many people to spend a summer break in an exotic foreign country, hanging
out with the locals, making a friend or two (or even a summer romance!) and returning home
refreshed and fluent in a foreign language.
 
But can someone just pick up a language simply by being in the country in which it is
spoken? Many companies that organize immersion exchange programmes, summer camps
or English language courses in an English-speaking country would have you believe that it’s
so much easier than with traditional English academies or online English classes. Even the
word immersion itself sounds so, well, easy. Just immerse yourself in the language, like
standing under a waterfall, and everything will just seep into your skin.
 
I’m afraid to say that in my case this just did not happen. Before I spent four months
travelling around South America, everyone had told me I would ‘pick up’ Spanish as easy as
‘uno, dos, tres’. I took an Ipod full of Spanish songs, somehow hoping that the language
flowing through my ears would end up stuck in my brain. But after a month or two, I couldn’t
do much more than order a beer and have a basic conversation. So why was I ‘failing’?
 
Firstly, I had the wrong attitude. I expected the learning to happen without putting in any
effort - I thought that just the exposure of the language from people or songs was enough. I
never wrote new words down. I didn’t study them or revise them, which meant that when I
wanted to use those words again I just couldn’t remember them.
 
Secondly, I was travelling alone, with no one to help me. Since nobody was a teacher, they
didn’t know how to explain words or grammar points to me in a simple way. I met lots of
Spanish speakers and when I listened to them speaking, I could only catch a few words that I
understood. Participating was almost impossible: by the time I had put together a response in
the language, the conversation had moved on to a different topic. This intense listening left
me exhausted and demotivated.
 
So, what’s the lesson? Just being in an English-speaking country and being exposed to
English from native speakers is not enough. Yes, use the environment around you as a
source of language, but dedicate your time to writing down and memorising vocabulary and
grammar, and then using it!
 
For those of you who do not have the time or option of living and travelling in an English-
speaking country, there are ways to learn English that are just as effective, whether it’s going
to an English school with other students or taking learning English online on your own. Most
importantly, it’s vital to have people to practice your speaking with who can correct you and
guide you. Look for places in your city where English speakers go, try Skype English classes
with a native English teacher or find an exchange partner who wants to learn your language.
 
However you do it,  learning English (or any other language for that matter) requires a lot of
time and dedication, and it should be treated with the same amount of study as any other
subject, if not more... There are no quick fixes or tricks, but in the end it is definitely worth it!
And remember, just because it’s not easy doesn’t mean it can’t be interesting and
entertaining. You should always find ways to learn the type of English that will be useful for
you, not what other people think you should learn. And why not try out all the methods and
activities out there before settling on those that best match your needs and your personality?
You might be surprised and discover something that works out great… for you! Of course if
this happens while you’re fully immersed in an English-speaking country, the experience
might very well be that much more enriching.

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