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Active vs. Passive Language Learning, or |
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Foreign Language
Learning is an Out of Classroom Experience.® |
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ability to communicate with clients, patients, employees, etc. as soon
as possible is paramount. Even though you may personally be interested
in the culture, history, literature and art of the country / language
you are studying, that is not what you want at this time.
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Unfortunately, most language education for executives and
professionals takes place in the classroom or in the office. (What
we refer to as passive language learning.) You did not learn your
native language that way. You learned it by living it; hearing it
and speaking it on a daily basis.
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Foreign Language Study is an Out of Classroom Experience.® You need
to live it or to use it to learn it.® (What we refer to as “active
language learning.”®) You need to be put in situations where you
have to speak the language with native speakers while participating
in everyday activities. This does not happen in the classroom. In
most cities or towns it cannot be done either. Therefore, ideally,
it is necessary to take the time – even if it is a very short period
– a few days? a few weeks? – to study in a foreign country (or in
Miami for Spanish) – to put in practice what you are learning in
class.
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If you have not studied a foreign language before you may not
realize that conversations about history, art, politics, etc. - in
other words classroom type discussions - are easy. The hard part of
foreign language learning is trying to both understand and
participate in the “he said,” “she said,” “if,” type conversations.
From the beginning, it is essential to try to build up your
vocabulary and use the words in ordinary conversations while you
take part in everyday activities in natural settings. Social
conversations – no matter how basic – are the most difficult.
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We are in no way minimizing or putting down the importance of
grammar, composition, etc. of the traditional / formal classroom.
Proper grammar is important. However, there is more to the language
learning process than what you get from a book or a video or a
computer or a language lab. Active language lessons complement
formal study.
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At some point, your classroom becomes your crutch or safety net.
Many people do not want to use their language skills till they “are
more advanced” or till they “will not make any mistakes.” That is
not going to happen. You cannot keep putting off the inevitable.
You will make embarrassing mistakes. Language learning is not an
exact science like math or accounting or architecture. In math you
are either completely right or wrong. In a foreign language you can
be “almost right.” So do not hide behind your text book. Get out
and use what you already know.
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A sense of humor helps. If you are an executive or professional who
is used to being in control, the one who others always look to for
the right answers and who is known for not making mistakes, this may
be a humbling experience. People will laugh at your mistakes. You
cannot always be correct. You will learn to laugh with them.
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A good foreign language program must be a balance of formal study
and hitting the streets and using your new skills. Our programs
provide the correct balance.
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And it can be an enjoyable vacation.
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You must
realize that, |
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despite advertising to the contrary, |
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no
one can learn to speak a foreign language fluently in two weeks; |
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it is
an ongoing process. |
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The most
important thing is to get started… |
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Mission Statement
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To make foreign language
learning an enjoyable and positive experience for all... including
those with not so pleasant memories of foreign language classes in
the past. | |
