The Immersion Technique

            This evidence is not confined to the scientific world, but has even crept into popular culture.  The cult BBC show “Doctor Who” which aired in 2008, included a terrifying ‘monster’ in an episode entitled ‘Midnight,’  which, unable to communicate at the start of the show,  repeated what was being said in order to learn, absorb, communicate, and then try and dominate.  The entire premise of the episode was so psychologically terrifying because it was based on a method of language learning that we can all identify with.  Children often repeat and repeat a word (sometimes to great annoying effect) and this is what the monster did, in the end, using the power of language with an evil intent.  But theatrics aside, what this episode was show-casing, was how ‘immersion’ works, and again, it is something we can all identify with.

            If we turn to the case of Matej Kus, widely reported in popular press, we again see an example of ‘immersion’ at work.  Here, the 18-year-old Czech speedway driver woke up from a terrible crash, speaking perfect English.  Not so surprising, until you discover that before the accident, his English was, as his promoter, Peter Waite, said, “broken, to put it mildly.”  What happened here was not a question of xenoglossy as was often quoted, but the ‘immersion’ technique at work.  Having lived and worked in the UK, Matej’s brain had obviously and subconsciously picked up enough of the language to be able to use it and communicate.  It just took something as dramatic as a car crash to ‘unlock’ that part of his brain, and as Peter Waite said, to “rearrange things in his head.”

            But, it goes without saying that having a car crash is a bit of a ridiculous, not to mention, dangerous way of learning a language.  So how can the average learner learn English using the ‘immersion’ technique?  Well, the most obvious way is to study in a native English-speaking country, but even if this is not possible, to absorb themselves with English wherever possible.  Having an English radio or TV programme on in the background, even when you’re ironing or cooking and not listening, is effective; while think you maybe concentrating on not burning your hand or shirt or dinner, a tiny part of your brain is listening and absorbing and learning, passively, and is just waiting for the opportunity to use it – and it’s a great way to get the ‘music’ of English in your head.

            Reading is another great way of expanding your vocabulary (as my teachers always told me at school).  Guessing the meaning of words form context helps enormously to expand your range of expression and knowledge of colloquialisms and phrasal verbs.  And of course, if you are luck enough to be studying in a native English speaking country, then use English wherever possible.  Talk to people; ask for directions even if you are not lost.  Go shopping, ask the shop assistants for help if even you’re just window shopping.  It’s free, so use them as ‘guinea pigs’ to extend your skills in listening to regional accents and dialects.  And most importantly, don’t worry if you make a mistake, it really doesn’t’ matter, just go out there and try.  The world is your classroom!