Guided immersion
Guided Immersion is a language learning method invented by Circassian language activist, Jonty Yamisha.[1] Emphasizing common phrases and high-frequency words, this method introduces language learners to new words and phrases in-context, so they understand how the words are utilized among native speakers in everyday situations. By utilizing structure and context, language learners understand how and why a certain word or phrase is used depending on the context in which it is presented.
This program uses Spaced Repetition Systems (SRS) in which content is introduced and re-introduced at graduated intervals. [2] This contrasts to study methods that require memorizing long lists of vocabulary. Studying within an SRS paradigm puts the focus on repeated exposure to previously learned material so that the content is eventually committed to long-term memory rather than short-term memory.
Origins
The term “Guided Immersion” was first coined by language activist, Jonty Yamisha, creator of the language program, OptiLingo.[3] Due to limited Circassian language learning resources, Jonty decided that the most effective way to learn Circassian was to adopt the most efficient way of studying a language. After participating in various language programs Jonty devised the method, a process that allows anyone to learn any language as efficiently and quickly as possible.[4]
Contextual learning
The program involves a process that is modeled after how toddlers acquire language. When learning a new language, adults often first start by memorizing vocabulary and studying grammar and syntax of their target language. However, toddler language development is quite different. Rather than memorizing a string of vocabulary words and grammar, toddlers develop their language skills by listening to how words and phrases are situated within a context. For example, toddlers are more likely to learn a word based on its “distinctiveness” within an everyday context.
An emphasis on context and structure is what distinguishes this program from other language education methods. Just as toddlers are more likely to build their vocabulary and language mastery through a word’s distinctiveness within a context, language learners are more likely to acquire their target language when new words are embedded in a culturally-rich situation. With this program, language learners are introduced to the word’s context and cultural relevance within everyday activities, making the word or phrase more relevant and memorable.
Spaced Repetition Systems
The Spaced Repetition System (SRS) study method involves subject material broken down by piecemeal, with students studying smaller components each day for five consecutive days. For example, when students begin Monday, or Day One for the week, they first begin by reviewing the oldest material that they have previously learned. On Tuesday, the student reviews the next oldest section of material before going back and reviewing the material that they studied on the previous day. On Wednesday and Thursday, or Day Three and Day Four, the student reviews the next two segments of material. Finally, on Friday, Day Five of the Five-Day Study Plan, the student briefly reviews all the material that remains to be learned for the week then takes a self-test.
Using this approach, the first two weeks of study would look like this:
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thurs | Fri |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| 1 | 2 | |||
| 1 | ||||
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thurs | Fri |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Integrated Approach to Learning
One of the distinctive features of the Five-Day Study Plan is its integrated approach to learning a foreign language. As students study smaller elements of the course material each day, they can easily review all the information at the same time, leaving the session with a comprehensive lesson, versus other approaches that encourage students to review material in isolation. This integrated approach results in a more fluid understanding of the content learned, and more meaningful and relevant connections with the material.
Task-Oriented Study
The Five-Day Study Plan is designed to impart a task-oriented structure to learning a foreign language. Course material is segmented into smaller chunks, so the student can choose content to review and which tasks to follow-through on to bring about the most optimum result. One method students utilize is writing vocabulary words on notecards to test their ability to recall vocabulary from specific content. Study sheets, personalized self-tests, writing out words or phrases, and other task-oriented assignments are options to assist the student to get actively involved in the learning process, thereby gaining a better understanding of the material presented.
Goal-Oriented Study
The Five-Day Study Plan is goal-oriented, as each task the student participates in to learn and review the material is an individual goal.[5] As goals are set and achieved, the student’s motivation and enthusiasm are bolstered to continue setting future goals. Time-frames may also be established for each individual task. When tasks are organized as stepping stones to a bigger goal towards target language competency, students can check off each task, marking it complete and enjoying the sense of accomplishment that brings.
Built-In Repetition
By spacing out the review of the language material over the Five-Day Study Plan, students can learn more effectively while fostering a robust comfort level with their study routine. Studies show that learning material, divided into smaller fragments and in a staggered, gradual way is more effective in long-term memory recall.
Emphasis on Self-Testing
Another marked feature of the Five-Day Study Plan is the emphasis on self-testing. Students are encouraged to design customized self-tests. As each section through the Five-Day Study Plan is presented and later, reviewed, students can choose which material they feel they’ve mastered, and which sections they need more practice. At the end of the five days, students will take a short test that covers all the week’s content. It is up to the student to identify the information that requires their attention, and which material can be considered learned.
Self-tests can follow any format, including: true-false, multiple-choice, completion, or matching tests. As the student takes the self-test, they play an active role in the structure of their lesson plan, thereby monitoring their progress and refining the course material they will focus on to further gain confidence and boost their handle of the language.
Flexible
Although the Five-Day Study Plan encourages a time investment of 30 minutes per day, the plan is flexible. Students may modify the day’s lesson based on their availability. Students can tailor their lesson plan to study three days per week, or seven days per week – the number of days and duration is up to the student. The Study Plan is versatile, accommodating any learning style and time commitment so that it meets the need of the student with the goal of achieving fluency as quickly as possible.
Difference From Other Language Learning Methods
There are a variety of learning styles: visual, audio, tactile, kinetic; however, when it comes to learning a foreign language, a combination of all four styles is imperative to gain language proficiency.
Certain language programs, such as Duolingo and Memrise focus on memorizing vocabulary lists through visual associations. Others, such as Pimsleur are primarily audio-lingual methods in which the student listens to native speakers repeat a phrase, translate the phrase, and then invite the student to repeat the phrase while trying to perfect their pronunciation to match that of the native speakers.
Although both program styles are useful, neither can be utilized exclusively as the sole means to achieving language fluency.[6][7]
In contrast, OptiLingo incorporates a multi-faceted learning style.
- Visual-style learning: Associating vocabulary to images and reading text in both the target language and English to intuit grammar and sentence structure.
- Aural-style learning: Listening to native speaker dialogues that are in-context and relevant to everyday, modern experiences.
- Tactile-style learning: Writing words and phrases, as well as repeating words and phrases aloud.
Finally, although the program is designed with flexibility in mind, it requires focus and active participation on the part of the student. That is, unlike language apps that offer lessons that can be completed in spare moments throughout the day, this program is designed for the student to spend focused time devoted to the lesson in time blocks. As well, the student is advised to incorporate as much physical action as possible, including handwriting phrases and notes while speaking aloud.
References
- ↑ "Daily Pioneer". WHAT CAN AN ANCIENT LANGUAGE TEACH US ABOUT THE FUTURE OF LANGUAGE LEARNING?. July 2018.
- ↑ Settles, Burr, and Brendan Meeder. (2016). "A Trainable Spaced Repetition Model for Language Learning". Proceedings of the 54th Annual Meeting of the Association for Computational Linguistics. Vol.1.CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)
- ↑ "Hometown Station". What Happens When A Language Activist Designs A Next-Generation Language Learning Course?. July 2018.
- ↑ Shetty, Rohit (July 2018). "Stump Blog". How One Man Helped to Revitalize a Dying Language and Unlocked the Secret to Learning Any Language.
- ↑ "Are OptiLingo courses any good?". Lukor.net. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ↑ "Can Duolingo teach you a language on its own without any extra support from other resources?". forum.duolingo.com. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ↑ "Is using Memrise enough to learn German?". quora.com. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
External links
This article "Guided immersion" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Guided immersion. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
