Escape With English

Let’s address the importance of daily practice as the absolute best tactic for improving your language skills. There are myriad ways to acquire a language such as attending courses at a college or university; using an app; reading and translating a book just at or slightly above your level; consuming media such as movies, podcasts, and tv shows with subtitles; studying vocabulary and grammar; connecting with native speakers; and immersing yourself in a country where your target language is officially spoken. Regardless of the activity chosen, there is one crucial key to success: unwavering consistency in the form of daily practice.

In the quantity vs quality debate, quality is usually the lauded element that garners more attention. In many instances, people are quick to quip, “Quality over quantity!” because the adage expresses excellence and substance, which are usually regarded as being more valuable than mere quantity or abundance. Yet, language is unique in this regard. Your path to fluency demands quantity. With respect to language, quantity has two dimensions. The first dimension of quantity implies time spent. The second dimension of quantity refers to how much of the language you have been exposed to and have acquired. Given the enormity of a language domain and thus the amount of language one must acquire to be considered truly fluent, it is logical and reasonable to conclude that the second dimension (i.e., exposure) is evidence that the first dimension (i.e., time spent) is a critical success factor.

Surely, quantity and quality go together. Both are critical and synergistic. Nonetheless, it is true that even the most fortunate language students who partake in the ultimate accelerator of in-country, cultural immersion can deny themselves of all-important quantity. Language learners, especially introverted creatures of habit, who do not regularly seek out extended and meaningful face-to-face opportunities can effectively become isolated from the locals. The quality of in-country, in-person interaction is undoubtedly superior to traditional academic methods and simulated environments, but if a learner fails to carve out ample social time, then time allocated to extracting the ultimate benefit suffers. For instance, many learners limit their interactions to restaurants and stores where the context for practicing is narrow, shallow, and specialized. While the quality of engagement in these scenarios sure beats a textbook or podcast, quality exposure may be sorely deficient particularly due to the limited contexts.

If you are achieving quantity and quality then your language journey is firing on all cylinders. Keep it up! For those that feel quality is elusive because you are not overseas, keep these thoughts in mind. Most individuals equate quality with immersion and immersion with going abroad. The truth is that immersion is just as much a function of quantity as it is quality. If you make a daily concerted effort to incorporate foreign language reading materials, news, movies, conversation with natives (online or otherwise), and a whole slew of other options for engaging in your target language then you are effectively immersing yourself in the subject language. In short, when you spend substantial time studying and practicing, you are immersed. Do not let excuses interfere with achieving your goals. (Boba) tea and crumpets with flat mates in London; surfing in Australia; flip-flops in California; and glittering skyscrapers in New York City are all wonderful pursuits, but do not delude yourself into thinking they are the only paths to fluency. They are idealistic paths to fluency!

It is not a guarantee that an immersed learner will learn more or better. Learning a language requires exposure from a multitude of sources right where you are at this very moment. In fact, one could argue that an individual whose strategy focuses on quantity can acquire more language proficiency practicing in isolation, perhaps in front of the mirror, literally or figuratively – you choose, than someone immersed in a foreign language environment. To be fair, immersion is a fantastic approach to language acquisition, but it is not everything. There is something to be said about putting in the time! Even the Foreign Language Institute of the Department of State uses time as a standard metric for progressing through the various levels of foreign language proficiency. Here is what they suggest.

Why is this relevant to you? You want to learn a foreign language, but you are questioning just how realistic it is when immersion is not feasible at this moment. Do not be discouraged! Most importantly, your plan must allot the requisite time and you must remain consistent. If you commit, it is entirely realistic to learn English without traveling or relocating. One day at a time, you can fulfill your goals right where you are. In addition to regular study, routine consumption of your preferred media, and frequent interaction with native speakers, you are encouraged to sign up for conversation classes with EWE as an integral part of your strategy in your journey toward fluency in English.