How to Apply Immersion Techniques at Home

For some time the immersion method has been considered the most favorable system to learn a foreign language.  Simply put, students set in a culture whose people speak an unnatural tongue are more apt to learn the language far faster and in better quality than a student utilizing books or programs.  However, since the majority of scholars are not blessed with the time or money to travel to another country, the immersion method is reserved only for the lucky few.  However, there are techniques which allow students to apply the immersion method through their daily lives.  Listed below are some:

• The secret of the immersion method is consistent interaction with the language.  Through forced contact, individuals unconsciously adapt as they begin to recognize the patterns between vocabulary, grammar, and context.  To a degree, students can emulate an immersive atmosphere at home by speaking solely in the foreign tongue, (or better yet, a conglomeration of their native language and the foreign one,) but must assiduously apply this technique on a daily basis in order to achieve results.
• If this is too audacious, students can request the assistance of another, with whom they agree to speak solely in the foreign language (or a combination, as mentioned above).  This is excellent since immersion requires interaction, rather than simply speaking to oneself.
• Naturally, the first days will be the most difficult for any student due to their lack of vocabulary.  This problem can be resolved through various means of reference.  For example, students may apply sticky notes throughout their home upon objects they frequently use, and if this proves too time consuming and disorderly, a student may construct a notepad contained a list of the names of these objects.
• Verbs, however, will require a different approach, especially for solitary scholars.  To rectify this, students should make a habit of mentally dictating their actions.  If students are prone to habitually planning out their schedules, they can also utilize the future tense as the list their required tasks and past tense as they reach completion.

In the end, the more a student applies himself, the better odds of him grasping the concepts of a foreign language, no matter the difficulty.  Akin to physical training, mental exercise requires daily effort, and even five minutes of study adds up in a week compared to none.