Create an English Language Immersion Experience
2021-12-01
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1Have you ever seen an advertisement for a language immersion program?
2These programs can take place in a school or other location
3where a learner can practice using their second language in a natural setting.
4The language immersion situation forces the learner to use the new language throughout the day.
5They must try to communicate their ideas and understand native speakers.
6Speaking and hearing others use the language at meals,
7while shopping or taking part in other activities gives language learners valuable (and enjoyable) practice.
8The use of new technologies can help you create your own immersion experiences.
9Below are some details on how you can plan an English immersion program for yourself and carry it out in your own home.
10Follow these basic guidelines in making your program:
11Make a plan - how long will you do the immersion?
12 Plan your time so that you will get some practice every day during the period of time you choose.
13For example, you may decide that for the next week, you will speak only English after 6:00 pm,
14or listen to English news every morning at 7:00.
15Look for chances to get both passive and active language practice.
16Passive language use is listening or reading, while active language use involves speaking or writing.
17Measure your progress with tests and give yourself prizes or treats when you meet goals.
18Step one: Know your starting level
19It is best to know your ability level to create your immersion program.
20You can test yourself with a free online language test, like the EFSET test.
21After a period of time, you can take the same test again and see how much you improved.
22Knowing your level also lets you choose materials at the right level.
23The VOA English Challenge test on our website will give you a score on the Council of Europe's (CEFR) scale.
24That goes from A1 - C2.
25Step two: Choose materials a little above your level
26Immersion programs often include material that is at a little higher level than the material you normally use.
27On our website, for example, there are three levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.
28If you have been reading at the Intermediate level for some time,
29try choosing readings from our Advanced level, such as American Stories.
30Here are some ideas on how to find materials to help you practice the four language skills in English:
31Here are some ideas for reading and vocabulary:
32Change your social media language to English.
33Follow English speakers and make comments in English.
34Subscribe to daily news updates in English,
35like our newsletter or a national news service in your country
36or an English-speaking country you want to learn more about.
37Cooking something new?
38 Find a recipe in English to follow.
39Or watch a cooking video online in English.
40Read children's stories in English to your own or a friend's child.
41Put small signs around your house with the name of common objects in English.
42After you learn the words,
43you can act like a broadcaster who is telling about your movements through your house:
44 "She is walking through the living room now. Now she is in the kitchen. She is picking up a cup..."
45Here are some ideas for listening materials:
46Listen to our daily podcast. You can read the stories after you listen on our home page.
47Use TuneIn or other podcast services to subscribe to English podcasts.
48Listen to English-speaking artists performing your favorite style of music - often these are available with subtitles on YouTube.
49Sing along if you like hearing yourself sing.
50Watch English movies and television programs on a streaming service.
51Turn off the subtitles to make it harder.
52 Later go back and watch again with the subtitles turned on if you need them.
53Here are some ideas for speaking:
54Join conversation clubs on the internet or in person, such as Clubhouse, Meetup, or the Mixxer.
55 Learn more in our article, Five Tips for Great Language Exchanges.
56Talk with yourself in English. This may feel strange at first.
57 However, the more you do it, the more you will begin to think in English,
58which is a big step toward becoming fluent.
59 If you have a pet animal, speak to it in English.
60Join a speech-making group or class, such as Toastmasters.
61Play online games in English.
62 Having fun while you learn makes it much easier to remember what you are learning.
63 One game service especially for language learners is Influent.
64Here are some ideas for writing:
65Write your to-do list or marketing list in English.
66Keep a diary or daily journal in English.
67Writing about your own experiences will help you learn words important to your life.
68Write comments in blogs and on social media in English.
69You can also write comments on our stories, of course!
70Step three: change up your practice
71On some days, put more of your effort toward reading and writing.
72On others, spend more time on listening and speaking.
73Try to avoid doing the same thing each day.
74And take a break now and then to rest your brain.
75Read our story on spacing and interleaving your learning for more on this topic.
76Step four: make new friends and have fun
77Through conversation clubs and the new activities that are part of your language immersion, you will probably find new friends.
78Speak English with them as often as you can.
79Look for ways to make your immersion program fun, like inviting a friend or family member to join you.
80I'm Jill Robbins.
1Have you ever seen an advertisement for a language immersion program? These programs can take place in a school or other location where a learner can practice using their second language in a natural setting. The language immersion situation forces the learner to use the new language throughout the day. They must try to communicate their ideas and understand native speakers. Speaking and hearing others use the language at meals, while shopping or taking part in other activities gives language learners valuable (and enjoyable) practice. 2The use of new technologies can help you create your own immersion experiences. Below are some details on how you can plan an English immersion program for yourself and carry it out in your own home. 3Follow these basic guidelines in making your program: 4Step one: Know your starting level 5It is best to know your ability level to create your immersion program. You can test yourself with a free online language test, like the EFSET test. After a period of time, you can take the same test again and see how much you improved. Knowing your level also lets you choose materials at the right level. The VOA English Challenge test on our website will give you a score on the Council of Europe's (CEFR) scale. That goes from A1 - C2. 6Step two: Choose materials a little above your level 7Immersion programs often include material that is at a little higher level than the material you normally use. On our website, for example, there are three levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. If you have been reading at the Intermediate level for some time, try choosing readings from our Advanced level, such as American Stories. 8Here are some ideas on how to find materials to help you practice the four language skills in English: 9Reading and vocabulary 10Here are some ideas for reading and vocabulary: 11Listening 12Here are some ideas for listening materials: 13Speaking 14Here are some ideas for speaking: 15Writing 16Here are some ideas for writing: 17Step three: change up your practice 18On some days, put more of your effort toward reading and writing. On others, spend more time on listening and speaking. Try to avoid doing the same thing each day. And take a break now and then to rest your brain. Read our story on spacing and interleaving your learning for more on this topic. 19Step four: make new friends and have fun 20Through conversation clubs and the new activities that are part of your language immersion, you will probably find new friends. Speak English with them as often as you can. 21Look for ways to make your immersion program fun, like inviting a friend or family member to join you. 22I'm Jill Robbins. 23Jill Robbins wrote this lesson for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 24_______________________________________________________________ 25Words in This Story 26practice - n. the activity of doing something again and again in order to become better at it 27conversation - n. an informal talk involving two people or a small group of people 28subtitles - n. (usually plural) words that appear on the screen during a movie, video, or television show and that are translations of what the actors are saying 29fluent - adj. able to speak a language easily and very well 30Have you ever tried to learn through language immersion? How was it? Would you like to make your own immersion program? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.