Madness in their method

Recently, I've watched some talks on learning a second (or further) language. One of the most interesting talks was by a couple of friends who explored the potential of language learning by immersion.

Nothing new about immersion learning - it's simply placing yourself or being placed in a situation where you are enveloped by the subject matter you wish to master - another language in this case.

There is really no language learning technique involved, just a commitment (voluntary or required) to fully immerse yourself in speaking, reading, listening, etc. in the language in question.

These two guys did things a bit differently because they actually committed to immersing themselves in four languages, spending three months in each of the four relevant countries.

One of the main things they did, however, is self-impose a strict rule - 'no English whatsoever'. This is the tricky part - sticking to such a rule - not for the faint hearted. And possibly this is the weakness of the approach - who has the self discipline to stick to such a plan.

Anyway, they filmed themselves at one week and again at the end of the three months. It was very interesting to see how much they struggled after one week, especially in the two non-latin language based countries, yet how fluent they were at three months.

Spending that amount of time in such a project is probably totally unrealistic for any but the rich or very well connected, but it illustrates just how effective full immersion can be in language learning. It is also a little demoralising knowing that very few of us can make either the time or method commitment.

But one of the useful suggestions that came out of that story was was the idea of finding an 'immersion buddy' - someone with whom you only speak in the target language. This could be a formal tutor or just someone who shares the same learning goals.

Apart from this particular YouTube find, I also came across a speaker on language learning who wanted to dispel the myth that children learn languages more easily than those of more advanced years. This is encouraging.

Very young children do learn quickly because their brains are like sponges and they are learning lots of things, being basically not afraid to learn by trial and error, using lots of mimicry. Adults are by contrast much more afraid of making mistakes, looking or sounding silly. However, this is in fact offset by a greater awareness of 'how to learn', the more conscious experience of learning, augmented in many cases by high motivation.

Therefore, we older learners should not lose heart. We should accept the challenges and find our own mad method. Ay caramba!