What we learned:
We began this project hoping to prove that learning a second language by being immersed in a culture was MORE effective than learning a second language in the classroom. Our previous research (see our personal website links) had shown that immersion was more effective in mastering a language, so that was the motivation for our study. By interviewing people with first-hand experience, we hoped to get a better perspective on this. What we found however, was quite different, bringing up a new idea that we had not yet explored in the pathways of learning a second language.
We found that BOTH were necessary, and here is how we came to that conclusion: All of our interviewees had taken part in an immersion program by spending time in a country that the language was predominantly spoken in. Preceding that, all of them had built a foundation of learning the language in the classroom. Professor Nelsen stated that this is imperative to learning, so that you have a base that can be expanded upon. Without that, the perspective learner would be lost. Following that, immersion is necessary for a complete mastery of a language. This allows the language to become natural, as communication becomes more natural. "The only way to really learn a language is to be immersed in it", as Adam states in his interview. |
A foundation of classroom learning followed by complete immersion in the language is the most effective way to truly master a language.
...But what else is there?
...But what else is there?