by David A.G. Fischer

Created on: May 30, 2008   Last Updated: June 08, 2008

If you have ever been in a situation where people were speaking a language that you were unable to interpret, then you likely understand the frustrations that arise. Having to request a translation can be embarrassing as it often makes one feel inept and excluded from the conversational loop. This uncomfortable circumstance, however, can be avoided through learning a foreign language.

Before embarking on the foreign language learning process though, so as not to become discouraged along the way, it is imperative to take into consideration that this is typically not a rapid-fire procedure. It takes plenty of dedicated time to accurately learn how to pronounce the phonemic system, acquire vocabulary and its proper spelling, manage grammatical aspects, and employ confusing colloquial expressions, along with the development of auditory skills, writing ability and text comprehension. As for accent, not to worry, native speakers are able to work around that. Think of it as a fingerprint that identifies who you are.

Language learning is something that evolves throughout our lives, so a student is not advised to expect immediate results. And, depending on the level of proficiency that one aims to achieve in said language, we add yet another variable. For instance, developing the ability for basic conversation obviously requires much less preparation than attaining a near-native level of fluency. Be prepared to commit at least a couple initial years of faithful study to establish a functional basis in the language.

In spite of the time investment, foreign language acquisition can be both challenging and fun, and the benefits to be experienced make it a most worthwhile experience. There are various means by which to learn a foreign language; enrolling in classes, hiring a tutor, independent study with books and on-line resources, and cultural immersion. According to a British group called Learn Language Abroad, "it has been proved that cultural immersion is the fastest and most effective way to learn a new foreign language" (1). Provided, therefore, that a student possesses the level of commitment and financial means necessary to study abroad, cultural immersion is the most optimal method to learn a foreign language.

Among many experts in the field of linguistics, David H. DeJong supports the theory that "language immersion is one of the most effective and efficient ways to actively involve all language students in the learning process" (2). It is worth noting the abundance

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>