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RedLightning · Joined: 08 Aug 2015 Posts: 137 Location: United States

I'll be finishing out a contract in the next few weeks and will have several months of free time on my hands. For both personal and professional reasons(as a language teacher myself), I'd like to learn another language and am considering an immersion program. While I'd like to learn Arabic/Chinese, I feel as though Spanish would probably be a little easier and for that reason alone am leaning in that direction.
Do any of you have experience with such programs (Spanish or otherwise)?
Thoughts? Comments?
Thank you

MotherF · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 12:57 pm Post subject:

I highly recommend immersion programs. I learned the bulk of my languages through a variety of immersion.
For bang for your buck the best place to go is Guatemala. There are many cheap high quality courses there. Ecuador and Mexico are also popular destination. If you decide on Oaxaca, Mexico I can suggest a couple of schools.

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

It can be blast! I did a few programs in French. If you get a great teacher, you'll also pick up some teaching ideas along the way. If you get a bad teacher, it can be infuriating Evil or Very Mad

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

But most teachers are not "great" Many are mediocre !

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

I agree with Scot!

To enrol on a language course takes time with level testing, etc, and the course may not start for several weeks. To then end up with a lemon of a teacher is enough for many students to give up at that point.

It's ten times worse for us great teachers because we can see every bad habit, cringe at TTT and recognise boredom on other students' faces.

The answer is one-to-one classes. You will have headaches and soon be sick of the sight of your teacher (it will be mutual), but you will learn at your own selfish pace, free of others and their daft questions, but you will learn.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Hod is clearly a genius. I am glad that he agrees with me.

RedLightning · Joined: 08 Aug 2015 Posts: 137 Location: United States

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

I can't think of many disadvantages. Even the cost isn't a factor as one or two hours a day is more than enough. You can also find a teacher faster and begin lessons sooner.

I'm sure there's research on the benefits of one to one or otherwise, but I'll leave the conference attenders on here to address such matters. All I know is it worked for me (learning German) whereas learning Spanish in a class at Cervantes was a waste of my time and money.

MotherF · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 11:40 pm Post subject:

AGoodStory · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 738

RedLightning · Joined: 08 Aug 2015 Posts: 137 Location: United States

I greatly appreciate the help. I'll be looking into all of your suggestions.

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2017 4:38 pm Post subject:

I live in a very small town in central Mexico where pretty much no one speaks English, but where the people are laid back and friendly. You could come here and you would have no choice but to have total immerision. I could set you up with tons of conversation partners and my husband and I could give you one on one classes. Food is delicious, the weather is warm, the air is clean.