Don't Just be a Tourist, Fit in With Immersion Language Learning

by Laetitia Fernandez

Don't be just a tourist in Italy, immerse yourself in the culture. Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

Immersion Language Learning is all the rage right now. And there are good reasons for that. If you're interested in immersion programs, it is probably because you've heard one of the following things:

• It's the best way to learn a language
• It' the easiest way to learn a language
• Bilingualism is good for your brain
• Bilingualism is good for your career
• Travel broadens the mind

We've already talked in details about the advantages of Immersion in a precedent article. To benefit completely from your stay abroad, you must however keep this in mind: you have to make a conscious choice to fit in and to take advantage of this opportunity. 

Debunking Language learning myths

Other excuses that keep students from traveling abroad and learning a new language are some old folks tales and myths. We will take a minute to debunk each one:

1. I'm too old: No, language learning is not only for babies. Although young children's brains learn like sponges, there's no age to learn a new language. The benefits for mental health and general health that bilingual senior citizen reap down the line are just as important. Make the best career move of your life by studying another language and moving up the career ladder, or just enjoy the freedom of being retired to finally make your traveling goals come to life.
2. I'm too young: If you are 16 or older, then studying abroad is for you. Choose a reputable company that offers a frame to help you organize your trip, and you'll be just fine.
3. It's dangerous: Imagine staying abroad countryside or in any city, with a family, or even learning with your tutor in his own home, and discovering the area with him/her. Wouldn't that make it an incredibly safe trip? You will be shown the best places to go; you will find out everything you need to know about the area from the people you stay with.
4. It's too difficult: Learning a new language does require you to practice. That's why studying abroad is such a good learning method: you will practice daily, with the help and supervision of a tutor, in all natural environments and in all kinds of social settings. There is no easier way to learn a new language, while becoming fluent and practicing a correct and beautiful native accent right away.
5. I'm too busy:  There's school, and there's homework, and then work, or maybe children... Those are some of the reasons why you don't study your target language on a daily basis at home. Once you make it a stay however -just like you would on a long "vacation"-, you don't need to worry about all that busyness and those everyday life distractions, you will just have this time set aside, planned, completely committed to your language learning experience.

Why some learn more than others

When you look into a study abroad experience, it seems like some students gain a huge lot from their experience, and others don't. We all have heard of students, especially younger ones, who travel abroad only to keep speaking their native language in the host country. Of course, if you do that, then you are unlikely to learn the language fluently, or to speak it like a native. This is more likely to happen if you have an "everybody speaks English" attitude (for example, right?). You would definitely still have a great time, but you won't put the work necessary to be truly successful.

What you need to keep in mind, is that you will gain from it what you put into it. Sure, immersion offers you, on a silver platter, the chance to practice a language daily. Is that enough? No, you must still get involved in your language learning experience. To get more of your language study journey, here are tips that will increase your involvement in the program, and thus guarantee your success:

1. Speak your target language with all of your connections: translations accepted, but make a point to get back to your native language.
2. Get a job in retails, restaurants, or in your field, to keep expanding your vocabulary and your connections.
3. Find a course in a school or at a University: it will expand your academic vocabulary, and your vision of what Education means at a global level.
4. Volunteer in shelters, or as a nanny: see the other side of the country you stay in, the everyday life, the social part of it.
5. Find housing with a native: it guarantees the daily practice of your target language.
6. Even better, live with your tutor: How can it get any better than that?
7. Choose a Language program with a long experience in the business.

Remember, more often than not, your attitude is all that will stand between you and your language learning goals. So keep track of your progress, and make sure to use our tips to make the best of your language learning journey.

For immersion programs that offer all advantages discussed above, contact The Eurolingua Institute, and check out their One-to-one International Language Homestay Programs.


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Study Abroad: 10 Lifelong Benefits

by Laetitia Fernandez

Photo Credit: hccs.edu

Want to learn French in Paris, or Spanish in Barcelona? Are you wondering if studying abroad is an option for you? Bravo! By studying in a foreign nation, you will be observing, living, and assimilating the culture of that country. You will participate in one of the most enriching experience one may enjoy. Nothing is quite like it: it goes far beyond learning a new language and seeing the world; it is more like the adventure of a lifetime, and an inner journey also, with benefits that last an entire career. Here are 10 reasons why you should put your doubts aside, and pack your bag right now.

Why you should study abroad

1. A once in a lifetime opportunity: "We're only young once." In that short period of time between finishing school and entering the workforce, it might be the only chance one has to leave his country and go on an adventure to discover the world. 
2. See the world: Traveling is not just making pretty pictures and sharing them on social media. It's much more than watching colorful documentaries on Discovery Channel. The reality is: it's a feast for the senses. Not only is it a treat for the eyes, but it combines with a banquet of new tastes, a perfume of foreign fragrances, a jukebox of new sounds, and a network of new connections, all joining together to build you a lifetime of memories. 
3. Discover a new culture: Ever wondered what foreigners think of you country? Ever been curious to find out if your vision of other countries is correct? While living in a host country with a foreign family, you will be totally immersed in the culture and the everyday life of a native, and make huge steps towards embracing a different lifestyle, and understanding your own cultural biases. You will see, do and discover things you never knew existed.
4. Enrich your Education: Along with discovering a new culture, comes the benefit of being exposed to different principles of Education. Concepts of Education also vary immensely from one country to another, and studying in a foreign country will introduce you to a completely different viewpoint.
5. Broaden and refine your language skills: There's definitely no better way to become bilingual than to learn by immersion in a host country. you may even be introduced to more than one language if you are staying in a country that has multiple national languages. Think Switzerland, Belgium or Luxembourg for a multicultural immersion, all in one place!
6. Enjoy new hobbies: During a study abroad program, besides classes and work, much time is spent with classmates and new acquaintances. In a Language Homestay Program especially, your tutor and his family will bring you along on excursions. They may show you the local's favorite hang-outs, take you out for dinner in their preferred restaurant, show you the best shopping places, or introduce you to their exotic hobbies. 
7. Make new BFF's: Recruits connect with new people every day. Foreign scholars often group together to go on escapades across the country. They support each other and share their good and bad times, as well as their exploits. Students will knot particularly close ties with their roommates, which are likely to become new Best Friends Forever, or like a second family away from home.
8. Personal development:  As the French saying goes "Les voyages forment la jeunesse" ("Travel broadens the mind"). Traveling and moving abroad forges character. It is an inner journey that turns teenagers into more independent, sophisticated and well-rounded adults. Living abroad teaches students to become more tolerant, open-minded and adaptable. While studying abroad, students generally grow in confidence, maturity, resilience, and interpersonal communication skills.
9. Entering Graduate School: By studying abroad, students demonstrate their engagement in their own education. They prove they can face difficulties and surmount challenges. Finally, by taking his education into his own hands, the student exhibits signs of autonomy and leadership that university recruiters will surely recognize and appreciate. 
10. Career Impact: In an ever growing global market, employers are looking for talents with an expertise in interpersonal communication, with cross-cultural and international skills, which are trademarks of study abroad students. A survey from the IES (Institute for the International Education of Students) also demonstrates that a majority of study abroad students later found work faster and got paid more when entering the workplace.  

Photo Credit: nova.edu

How to choose a location

You could just choose a location for its weather or the language you want to learn, but you also should market your skills by picking a place recognized as a global hub in your field. For example, students should choose Washington and Brussels if they study politics, or New York, Hong Kong and London for a career in Finance. Germany would be the location of choice for students in the field of Technology. Find out which school has the most modern science equipment, the best reputation, or the most advanced research, in order to get the most of your Study Abroad Program.

Eurolingua One-to-One Language Homestay Program 

Wherever you want to go, you can find a program fitted to your needs with the Eurolingua Institute. Grab your backpack and go travel across Europe to learn French, Dutch, English, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish. 

What does this program offer? 

• Total linguistic and cultural immersion, 
• Learn with an experienced and qualified native speaker, 
• Individual tuition, structured in 15, 20 or 25 hours per week, and planned to fit your schedule (daytime, evenings, weekends),
• Learn at your own pace, with your style of learning, 
• Practice through informal conversation with the host family, friends, neighbours, and professional colleagues etc., 
• Visit the local community (shopping, post office, bank, bakery, etc.), 
• Cultural activities such as theatre, cinema, sports events, fiestas, or parades,
• Social activities with your new friends, your hosts and their connections,
• Touristic activities such as visiting castles, ruins, lakes, coastline, rivers etc. (client pays their own entrance fees where applicable).

So don't wait another minute, and contact the Eurolingua Institute to plan your next study abroad adventure. For more information, follow @eurolingua on Twitter and Facebook.

References:

Survey for the International Education of Students, extracted from Transitionabroad.com at http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0403/benefits_study_abroad.shtml
10 benefits to studying abroad, extracted from http://www.internationalstudent.com/study-abroad/guide/ten-benefits-to-studying-abroad/
Benefits of studying abroad, extracted from ​http://www.studyabroad.com/articles/why-should-i-study-abroad.aspx
Studying abroad: the benefits, extracted from http://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/studying-abroad/studying-abroad-benefits