Immersion...the only way for some

[bethany marcelle]

Immersion is so important in learning a language. As a social learner language finds meaning for me in people. I won't always remember I've been studying, but if words and phrases are part of a social or volunteer experience then I retain them. I didn't learn Spanish in school for the most part but rather through short trips to Mexico and Guatemala and I placed into 300 level Spanish. This is not by some particular wonderfulness that I possess, but rather that immersion works better than classrooms. I have learned to understand French through hearing my father talk to pastors form Quebec on the phone occasionally. Even a little bit of immersion can do wonders. Curiosity and neccesity are a language learner's best-friend.