Cultured Learning

If you’ve ever studied a foreign language and suddenly surprised yourself by knowing or saying a word that you didn’t know you knew (!), then, you’ve just proved that ‘immersion’ as a technique to learn a second or foreign language, works. I found myself doing just that when I was studying French. There I was, having a rather stilted, but very enthusiastic conversation with mon amie, when suddenly and quite unexpectedly, I found myself answering her “je ne sais pas,” with “non, moi non plus.” I didn’t actively learn it – I’m sure my teacher never taught it to me, or wrote it on the board, or got us to repeat it – but my clever old brain had somehow picked up the fact, maybe from listening to other people or reading it somewhere, that “moi non plus” means, “I don’t know either!” Magnifique!

And that’s pretty much the basic idea of the ‘immersion technique.’ By surrounding yourself in a language, and even without actively setting out to learn it, your brain picks things up, stores them without you even realising it, and then, suddenly, just when you need it, out it pops. In fact, as I’ve often told my students who are glued to their electronic dictionaries, if you think back to your first words when you were developing your language in your mother tongue, no one gave you a bilingual ‘Japanese/Baby talk’ dictionary. Children learn by what they hear, read and see. They absorb words like sponges and then use their stored knowledge to communicate. So why should it be any different for an adult learning a second language. Preconceptions maybe, about what a ‘language lesson’ should be?

The ‘immersion technique’ works on the principal that language learning shouldn’t be confined to text books and rehearsed and formulated listening exercises in the classroom. Rather, the target language is used as a tool and is used constantly. The idea was first developed in the 60s in Canada when English-speaking educators tried out an innovative programme to help their students learn and understand French language and culture. Many studies followed, including Dr. Chen Ya-Ling’s 2006 study of the immersion technique on Taiwanese children , published in the Asian EFL Journal which looked at the worrying possibility that immersion at a young age might devalue a learner’s original cultural values. Luckily, this assertion was proved unfounded by Dr Chen’s research, but importantly, what this research proves, is that the success of ‘immersion’ is now so widely accepted by today’s educators, that its efficacy at language learning is not even called into question, rather its value culturally and socially has to be assessed – proof, since people are actually worried by its potential negative effects, that it works.

This evidence is not confined to the scientific world, but has even crept into popular culture. The cult BBC show “Doctor Who” which aired in 2008, included a terrifying ‘monster’ in an episode entitled ‘Midnight,’ which, unable to communicate at the start of the show, repeated what was being said in order to learn, absorb, communicate, and then try and dominate. The entire premise of the episode was so psychologically terrifying because it was based on a method of language learning that we can all identify with. Children often repeat and repeat a word (sometimes to great annoying effect) and this is what the monster did, in the end, using the power of language with an evil intent. But theatrics aside, what this episode was show-casing, was how ‘immersion’ works, and again, it is something we can all identify with.

If we turn to the case of Matej Kus , widely reported in popular press, we again see an example of ‘immersion’ at work. Here, the 18-year-old Czech speedway driver woke up from a terrible crash, speaking perfect English. Not so surprising, until you discover that before the accident, his English was, as his promoter, Peter Waite, said, “broken, to put it mildly.” What happened here was not a question of xenoglossy as was often quoted, but the ‘immersion’ technique at work. Having lived and worked in the UK, Matej’s brain had obviously and subconsciously picked up enough of the language to be able to use it and communicate. It just took something as dramatic as a car crash to ‘unlock’ that part of his brain, and as Peter Waite said, to “rearrange things in his head.”

But, it goes without saying that having a car crash is a bit of a ridiculous, not to mention, dangerous way of learning a language. So how can the average learner learn English using the ‘immersion’ technique? Well, the most obvious way is to study in a native English-speaking country, but even if this is not possible, to absorb themselves with English wherever possible. Having an English radio or TV programme on in the background, even when you’re ironing or cooking and not listening, is effective; while think you maybe concentrating on not burning your hand or shirt or dinner, a tiny part of your brain is listening and absorbing and learning, passively, and is just waiting for the opportunity to use it – and it’s a great way to get the ‘music’ of English in your head.

Reading is another great way of expanding your vocabulary (as my teachers always told me at school). Guessing the meaning of words form context helps enormously to expand your range of expression and knowledge of colloquialisms and phrasal verbs. And of course, if you are luck enough to be studying in a native English speaking country, then use English wherever possible. Talk to people; ask for directions even if you are not lost. Go shopping, ask the shop assistants for help if even you’re just window shopping. It’s free, so use them as ‘guinea pigs’ to extend your skills in listening to regional accents and dialects. And most importantly, don’t worry if you make a mistake, it really doesn’t’ matter, just go out there and try. The world is your classroom!

If you’d like more information about Cultured Learning specially developed bespoke‘ immersion’ programme PACT, which allows students to go out into London to shop, visit tourist sites and dine in confidence with the help of a language consultant, then please visit our website: www.culturedlearning.co.uk

Here’s a great idea by our senior consultant Olivia. She’s put together a fabulous course designed to combine the best of English language learning, and sightseeing in London.

With this course you will experience the wonderfully diverse multi-cultural London. Each day will take you to a different part of the city to discover new cultures that have made London what it is today.

Visit the Jewish synagogues, Hindu temples, and Italian and French churches and experience the beauty of these buildings.

Walk down the famous ‘Brick Lane’ and smell the aroma of Asian cuisine.

Enjoy the delights of the Caribbean Markets and watch people preparing their costumes for the Notting Hill Carnival, the most famous multi-cultural festival in Europe.

With each day dedicated to learning the English language, and experiencing a different culture in London, you’ll be amazed what this incredibly exciting multi-cultural city has to offer.

So, if you’d like to learn English in London, find out more about our exciting culture and history, then get in touch. Our email address is: info@culturedlearning.co.uk

Or you can find us at: www.culturedlearning.co.uk

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Students have often told me that while they can understand and communicate with confidence in the classroom, they find it close to impossible and nerve-wracking in the real world. Not only is this disheartening for the student, but it also highlights a real issue in today’s English teaching methodology.

The problem lies with the fact that Classroom-based tuition does not create a natural, spontaneous environment for learning and as a result students are often unprepared for the real world. Why is this? Firstly, this is because the classroom provides an unnaturally cosseted setting. Secondly, in most cases, classroom students practise their communication skills primarily with other learners rather than with fluent speakers of English. Thirdly, textbooks and classroom teaching methods try to create imaginary contexts in which language is used to promote understanding and learning but unfortunately this will always be artificial and can never replicate the natural environment. Fourthly, the cultural element is frequently altogether absent from teaching which can pose a problem in the real world, (especially if a native speaker finds a learner ‘rude’ in speech or manner, when in reality they are just floundering over getting the words out in the right order – after all, a simple ‘please or thank you’, goes a long way in the UK, but is often the last thing a learner remembers when they’re struggling over tense.)

So what are the solutions to this problem? Well, having been an English language teacher for a number of years, I am convinced that there really is no substitute for providing students with the opportunity to practise language learnt out in the real world. In recent months, I have been involved with an English language consultancy called Cultured Learning Ltd and I believe that their innovative programmes and teaching methods are definitely a step in the right direction. For instance, the PACT (Professional and Cultural Training) programme allows students the opportunity to go out around London with a teacher to practise their English and experience the culture of London and Britain. Students can order meals at restaurants, go shopping, see and discuss exhibitions at museums and art galleries, and so on, secure in the knowledge that their language teacher is on hand to guide and correct them if they need it.

Furthermore, I believe that for the majority of learners, the cultural aspect is almost as important as the linguistic one and Cultured Learning place a keen emphasis not only on providing English language tuition for those visiting or living in London but also on providing an insight into the culture of London and Britain. This helps learners understand how to feel at ease with British people and how to fit in.

In conclusion I believe that in order to prepare students for the real world, teachers of English need to give their students the opportunity to practise their English in the real world. We need to provide the transitional step between the classroom and the real world to take out the fear element and assist students in stepping up to the challenge.

For more information about Cultured Learning, please see our website: www.culturedlearning.co.uk.

If you’re fed up of studying English in a boring old classroom, why don’t you get out into London itself with one of our expert Language Consultants?

There’s so much to see and do; museums and galleries to visit; markets to see; shops and restaurants to try out, and that’s just the beginning. London is full to bursting point with history and culture — it makes the perfect classroom.

With Cultured Learning, you can learn real, practical English and get to try it out with real live Londoners with your consultant to guide and support you. It’s a fantastic way of improving your language skills and enjoying London at the same time.

Why not give it a go?