What learning environment could be better than immersion? You’re surrounded by native speakers and have virtually unlimited access to listening and reading material—how could you not learn? Right?
Yet we’ve all heard about or even met people who’ve lived in another country for years and still know only a few phrases in the local language. Part of what keeps some folks from getting the most language-wise from a stay abroad is a belief in a few widespread myths.
Myth #1: You’ll be Immersed
Traveling to a country where your target language is the official language gives you the opportunity for immersion, but nothing guarantees you’ll take that opportunity. If you’re spending all your time with same-language friends watching movies in a language you know well and avoid speaking because you’re “not ready,” you may as well have stayed home.
Solution: When you’re in a new environment, time goes fast and you can end up wasting a lot of it away from the local language before you know it. Instead of looking for ways to interact with the local language (those are everywhere), focus on avoiding any other language.
Myth #2: You’ll “Pick up” the Language
To some extent this is true, but only if you really pay attention to the language and use it on a regular basis. If you don’t make an effort to hold onto some of the language that surrounds you, it will just wash over you without your absorbing much.
Solution: Keep a notebook with you and jot down phrases you read or hear that contain new words or grammar structures you’re not yet adept at using. This includes phrases you don’t completely understand.
When you get the chance, look up the new words (or ask a native speaker about the meaning) and investigate any grammar that isn’t clear to you. Review them throughout the day.
Myth #3: You Won’t Learn Incorrect Grammar
First of all, we all know native speakers don’t always use correct grammar. That’s not really a big deal because as long as you’re learning from reasonably well educated people, a few “native-like errors” won’t hurt you.
The real problem is assuming that just hearing the language correctly spoken is enough for you to remember it that way and not use it any other way. Unfortunately, something known as linguistic interference (also called L1 interference or language transfer) throws a wrench into those works.
As babies we started with a “Zen mind” about language. We picked up our native languages based solely on what we heard because we had no prior assumptions. As adults, though, we make assumptions about how other languages should work based on what they already know about our own language. Those assumptions tend to override outside input.
Solution: If you have some good native speaking friends you talk to often, ask them to let you know when they hear you making a certain mistake repeatedly. Let them know important it is to you and how much you appreciate the help, so they don’t feel “rude” for correcting you. And when you’re not sure something you’ve just said is correct, ask.
Myth #4: You’ll have Lots of Chances to Speak
This depends a lot on the culture. In very sociable cultures, you may have more opportunities to speak the local language than you even want. If you find yourself in a more reserved culture where lots of people know other language, though, you’ll need to make a concerted effort to get in practice time.
Solution: seek out conversations. If you’re the reserved type yourself, check out these speaking practice tips for introverts.
Myth #5: Your Increase Your Knowledge by a Full Level
If your goal is to improve your speaking fluency or confidence, just getting out an using the language may be all you need. If, however, your goal is to move from beginner level to intermediate or intermediate to advanced, you may run into some trouble. As long as you use the language daily, without a doubt you’ll become more adept at using what you already know, but you may not actually learn anything new.
For instance, if you’re a beginner in German, you’ve probably studied plenty about the Simple Past and the Present Perfect tenses, but may not be able to use them correctly when you speak.
If you’ve never studied the subjunctive, though, you may not learn it just from “living” the language. So, stay alert for things you don’t understand and make an effort to investigate them further.
Solution: It’s really the same as for Myth #2 about “picking up” a language. Make a concerted effort to build your vocabulary and learn how to correctly use those grammar structures you only vaguely understand. When you notice something you don’t understand comes up frequently, take the initiative to learn more about it instead of waiting for it to “sink in.”
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Good article. I teach Portuguese and often meet students who come back from their immersion experience feeling disappointed. There are many factors that contribute to a less than ideal experience, but I agree that a lot has to do with false expectations and the wrong approach to the time spent abroad.
Thanks for the comment, Luciana. Yes, it’s frustrating to see people put the time and money into a trip and then get so little out of it. A little preparation can really help improve the experience.