Week 13a: Monday, 1 December 2014

Posted by Zakumi on November 28, 2014

(1) Video lesson continue: Encounters in the UK

We'll complete Activities 3, 4 and 5 of this lesson. In Activity 5, three questions will be discussed. Students can answer questions 2 and 3 in their comment to this lesson. I repeat the questions here:

1. What is "complete immersion"?

2. Why is it seen as such a good way to learn a language?

3. Is it possible to get some of the benefits of "complete immersion" without going to an English-speaking country? If so, how? If not, why not?

(2) Activity 6: Role plays:Role plays in pairs: Student A is planning to study abroad in the UK and stay with a host family. Student B works for the company that organizes homestays. B will interview A in order to get all the information needed to place the applicant with a suitable host family. A answers the questions and explains what their requirements for their ideal host family would be like.

You need to be a member of MyEnglishClub to add comments!

Join MyEnglishClub

Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • fengdongli November 30, 2014 15:23
    In my hart "complete immersion'means that when we do some thing we will only do that thing .Do not observe any other thing .It is a good way to learn language,just like if youwant to do something ,the most you put you attention the less time you will make .I thingk it is possible to get some of the benefits of "complete immersion" without going to an English-speaking country .Bcause not everyone have the chance to go to an English-speaking country .But there are many person who do not come from english cuntry also speak englishi verey good.
    • Zakumi > fengdongli December 1, 2014 3:10

      Lily, if you think this concept of learning English can work in a non-English speaking country like China, then you need to re-think your idea about "complete immersion"! Even if there are many English speakers in China, it would still not work as no Chinese person would speak English to you (except maybe in the oral English class!) and you would speak Chinese to every other Chinese person. Then it is surely not "complete immersion" any longer!

  • HuoMeng November 30, 2014 14:58
    As far as I am concerned,complete immersion means you do something wholeheartedly,you just try your best to do it faultlessly and don't think other things.Yes ,it's a good way to learn a language,because it means you will try your best and you will be industrious,it't means you will overcome all difficulties and you must be succeed finally.. I think it is impossible to get some of the benefits of "complete immersion" without going to an English-speaking country.I think in English-speaking countries ,there will have an atmosphere for you ,what made you have to practise yor English all the time.
    • Zakumi > HuoMeng December 1, 2014 3:06

      Huo Meng, you were missed in class last week; so, it will be nice to see you back! How do I know? Oh, because the teacher missed you too! About your understanding of the lesson, it is clear you know what it is about. Yes, the atmosphere would be so important as everything around you would be happening in English. It can only work in China if the person wants to learn Chinese ..! ;-)

  • sarah November 30, 2014 14:57
     The role play I am British students, after watching the film I think there are many stories to share. First is to live in the UK residents home, you can enjoy the food, with life habit, the fastest in unfamiliar surroundings. Second, live in the home, local residents can have a good language environment, the fastest to help you learn English well. I think it is very helpful for international students.  
    • Zakumi > sarah December 1, 2014 2:59

      Yes Cai Huibin, this is surely the most effective way to learn another language, though not always easy as some international students would find it very difficult especially where their country wasn't always used to having foreigners as part of society (like in China and other Asian countries). But if one can do it, the results would show one day, not only in having mastered the language, but also in maturity and wisdom you have gained. :)

  • This reply was deleted.
    • Zakumi December 1, 2014 2:51

      That is correct, Katrina, that "complete immersion" as method to learn English can only work in an English-speaking country as one is then surrounded by the English environment where everyone speaks English and thinks English (and eat English food and sleep on English beds ...!). Some people are against the method as they say one can lose your cultural heritage as you get so immersed in the other culture (they even say that to prevent English to be taught here). But of course, that is not true. When one grows up in one culture, that culture becomes so much part of one that nothing can change it (except where one decides deliberately that one wants to accept another culture as your new culture). And if there is any truth in that, it can't be a good culture that can so easily be influenced by another culture! Complete immersion is just a very effective English-learning method; nothing more. ;-)

  • kay November 30, 2014 14:41
    In my opion.Complete immersion is such a good way to learn a new language for one person.It means you must put your heart and soul to a new environment.Every new person and new things will make you feel different and think morebecause you are immersed in it.Thus your English skill may be improved unexpectly(Just as it says in this video"Someday when you wake up in the morning.You will feel something had changed").I think if you want get some of the benefits of "complete immersion" you must going to an English-speaking country? Because just in an English-speaking country can we get more improve about English .All things around you is about English.Your mind will can't help attacking every things to English.And the aim of improve English is achived.
    PERSON.IT
    • Zakumi > kay December 1, 2014 2:37

      Yes, that's why it is referred to as "complete immersion", Kay, as everyone around you then speaks the language you want to learn. So, you have no choice than learning the language. Not an easy method, but very effective.

  • This reply was deleted.
    • Zakumi December 1, 2014 2:35

      I agree with you, Wang Xiaoxu. Complete immersion can only work in China if one wants to learn the Chinese language! But it can't work for me as I have students around me who can speak some English and they usually help me out of trouble!

This reply was deleted.