Language learners are confused about "immersion"

Summary

Language enthusiast Lamont discusses the ambiguous term 'immersion' in language learning, highlighting the confusion between living in a country where the language is spoken and the actual process of learning it. He proposes two distinct concepts: 'lifestyle language immersion' for living in a language's native environment and 'cognitive language immersion' for mental engagement with the language through various media. Lamont emphasizes the importance of clear definitions to improve language learning strategies and suggests that both methods are crucial for fluency, with cognitive immersion being more accessible for most learners.

Takeaways

• 😀 The term 'immersion' in language learning is ambiguous and can lead to confusion.
• 🌍 Many people equate 'immersion' with living in a country where the target language is spoken.
• 🤔 The speaker suggests that 'immersion' should be clarified to prevent misunderstandings in language learning.
• 📱 The speaker's brother's text message highlights the confusion about what level of language proficiency is needed before immersion becomes effective.
• 🏠 'Lifestyle language immersion' refers to living in a place where the language is spoken and actively using it.
• 🧠 'Cognitive language immersion' involves exposing oneself to the language through various means, regardless of location.
• 🌐 Surfshark VPN is recommended for accessing content in the target language, simulating immersion.
• 🔗 The speaker emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between lifestyle and cognitive immersion for effective language learning.
• 🏡 Lifestyle immersion is not just about being in a foreign country but actively engaging with the local language.
• 📚 Cognitive immersion can be achieved through various methods like listening to audiobooks, even when not in the target language's country.
• 🌟 Both lifestyle and cognitive immersion have their benefits, and the speaker argues for their combined use for optimal language learning.

Q & A

What does the term 'immersion' commonly refer to in language learning?

In language learning, 'immersion' commonly refers to living in a place where the target language is spoken, thus being exposed to it constantly and having to use it.

Why does the speaker believe the term 'immersion' is ambiguous?

The speaker believes 'immersion' is ambiguous because it can mean different things to different people, leading to confusion and unclear instructions on how to learn a language effectively.

What alternative terms does the speaker propose to replace 'immersion'?

The speaker proposes two alternative terms: 'lifestyle language immersion' and 'cognitive language immersion' to clarify the different ways one can be immersed in a language.

What is the difference between 'lifestyle language immersion' and 'cognitive language immersion'?

Lifestyle language immersion involves living in a place where the language is spoken and attempting to use it in daily life. Cognitive language immersion, on the other hand, is about exposing your brain to the language through various means, regardless of physical location.

Why is it important to distinguish between lifestyle and cognitive language immersion?

Distinguishing between the two helps clarify expectations and methods of language learning, and it prevents misconceptions about what is required to become proficient in a language.

What is the speaker's opinion on the effectiveness of cognitive language immersion?

The speaker believes cognitive language immersion can be very effective, as demonstrated by their own experience learning Swedish and using it in Sweden after cognitive immersion.

What is the role of Surfshark VPN in the context of language learning as mentioned in the script?

Surfshark VPN is mentioned as a tool that allows access to content from regions where the target language is spoken, simulating a form of cognitive language immersion by providing exposure to native content.

How does the speaker's brother's text message from Japan contribute to the discussion on immersion?

The brother's text message highlights the confusion around the term 'immersion' and prompts a deeper discussion on the need for clear definitions and alternative terms for different types of language exposure.

What does the speaker suggest for someone who wants to improve their language skills before moving to a country where the language is spoken?

The speaker suggests that one should engage in cognitive language immersion to reach a level where lifestyle language immersion, such as living in the country, can be more effective.

Why does the speaker emphasize the need for both lifestyle and cognitive language immersion?

The speaker emphasizes the need for both because each type of immersion offers unique benefits that complement each other, potentially leading to more comprehensive language acquisition.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 The Ambiguity of 'Immersion' in Language Learning

The speaker, Lamont, discusses the confusion surrounding the term 'immersion' in language learning. He shares his realization that many people misunderstand what immersion truly means, after having conversations in Sweden and Japan. Lamont clarifies that while some define immersion as living in a place where the target language is spoken, others have a different interpretation. He emphasizes the importance of defining terms clearly in language learning to avoid confusion and ensure effective learning strategies. Lamont suggests that the term 'immersion' is ambiguous and proposes the need for a more precise term to describe the act of being surrounded by and actively using a language.

05:02

📚 Distinguishing Between Lifestyle and Cognitive Language Immersion

Lamont introduces two new terms to clarify the concept of immersion: 'lifestyle language immersion' and 'cognitive language immersion.' Lifestyle language immersion refers to living in an environment where the target language is spoken and making an effort to use it, which is what most casual learners believe immersion to be. Cognitive language immersion, on the other hand, involves exposing oneself to the target language through various means, regardless of physical location. Lamont argues that both methods are crucial for language fluency and that they should not be confused with each other. He also mentions the benefits of using Surfshark VPN to access content in the target language, which can enhance cognitive immersion.

10:02

🌍 The Efficacy of Cognitive Language Immersion

In this paragraph, Lamont challenges the notion that physical presence in a country is the only way to learn a language effectively. He shares his personal experience of achieving a high level of Swedish proficiency through cognitive immersion before even visiting Sweden. Lamont argues that while there are benefits to lifestyle immersion, such as the unique cultural experiences it offers, cognitive immersion is also highly effective and accessible. He suggests that the distinction between the two types of immersion is important for setting realistic expectations and for helping others understand the variety of effective language learning methods available.

Keywords

💡Immersion

Immersion in the context of the video refers to the concept of being completely surrounded by a language in order to learn it. The speaker clarifies that many people equate immersion with living in a place where the language is spoken, but the term is actually ambiguous. The video discusses the importance of distinguishing between 'lifestyle language immersion' and 'cognitive language immersion', which are two different approaches to learning a language. The speaker uses his own experience in Sweden to illustrate how immersion can be misunderstood and how it can be effective.

💡Lifestyle Language Immersion

Lifestyle language immersion is defined in the video as living in a place where the target language is spoken and attempting to use that language in everyday life. It is contrasted with cognitive language immersion and is described as the more traditional view of immersion that many people have. The speaker's brother's text message about needing to be at a certain level before immersion works effectively is an example of lifestyle language immersion being discussed.

💡Cognitive Language Immersion

Cognitive language immersion is the idea of exposing one's brain to a language through various means, such as listening to audiobooks or watching shows, regardless of physical location. The video argues that this form of immersion is often overlooked but can be highly effective, as demonstrated by the speaker's own proficiency in Swedish after engaging in cognitive immersion for an extended period.

💡Language Learning Community

The language learning community is a group of individuals who share an interest in learning languages. The video discusses how this community often uses the term 'immersion' in a specific way that may not align with the general public's understanding. The speaker suggests that clearer terminology is needed to prevent confusion and to better instruct people on how to learn languages effectively.

💡Ambiguous Terms

Ambiguous terms are words or phrases that can have multiple meanings or interpretations, leading to confusion. In the video, the speaker points out that the term 'immersion' is ambiguous, which can lead to different definitions and instructions for language learning. The speaker advocates for more precise language to avoid misunderstandings and to improve language learning strategies.

💡Fluency

Fluency in the video refers to the level of proficiency in a language where one can communicate effectively and naturally. The speaker discusses the importance of both lifestyle and cognitive immersion for achieving fluency in a language, suggesting that neither approach alone is sufficient for most people.

💡Surf Shark VPN

Surf Shark VPN is mentioned in the video as a tool that can enhance cognitive language immersion by allowing access to content from regions where the target language is spoken. The speaker uses Surf Shark VPN as an example of how technology can facilitate language learning by providing exposure to native content.

💡Casual Language Learners

Casual language learners are individuals who have an interest in learning languages but may not be as dedicated or systematic in their approach as more serious enthusiasts. The video highlights the need to communicate effectively with this group, as they may have different expectations and understandings of terms like 'immersion'.

💡Language Proficiency

Language proficiency is the ability to use a language effectively for communication. The video discusses how both lifestyle and cognitive immersion can contribute to language proficiency, but that each has its own unique benefits and challenges. The speaker's experience in Sweden is used to illustrate how cognitive immersion can lead to a level of proficiency that is perceived as native-like.

💡Accessibility

Accessibility in the context of the video refers to the ease with which individuals can engage in language learning activities. Cognitive language immersion is described as more accessible for most people because it does not require physical relocation to a region where the target language is spoken, unlike lifestyle language immersion.

Highlights

Language learners often misunderstand the term 'immersion', leading to confusion about its meaning.

Immersion is commonly thought of as living in a place where the target language is spoken.

The speaker proposes that 'immersion' is ambiguous and suggests the need for clearer terminology.

The most popular word used by language learners to describe their learning method is 'immersion'.

The speaker's brother questions the level of language proficiency required for immersion to be effective.

The speaker differentiates between 'lifestyle language immersion' and 'cognitive language immersion'.

Lifestyle language immersion involves living in a place where the language is spoken and using it.

Cognitive language immersion refers to any exposure to the language, regardless of physical location.

The speaker argues that both lifestyle and cognitive immersion are essential for language fluency.

Surfshark VPN is recommended as a tool to access content in the target language, simulating immersion.

Cognitive language immersion can be effective even without physically being in the target language's country.

The speaker's experience in Sweden demonstrates that cognitive immersion can lead to high language proficiency.

There is a misconception that living in a country is the only way to become proficient in its language.

The speaker suggests that cognitive immersion is often underrated by casual language learners.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between lifestyle and cognitive immersion for effective language learning.

The speaker plans to release a video discussing the unique benefits of lifestyle language immersion.

The speaker's videos will include insights gained from his recent trip to Sweden, enriching his language learning content.

Transcripts

language Learners don't understand what

immersion means and we need to stop

talking about it as though we do but it

took me to go to Sweden and talk to

someone in Japan for me to realize this

my name's Lamont I've been learning

Swedish for a long time I've learn some

other languages on and off during that

time and I make these videos to tell you

what I learn along the way so if that

sounds good hit the Subscribe button and

let's talk Shana chos what is immersion

in a language well a lot of people would

say it's living in a place where that

language is spoken but others

particularly regulars to this hobby

probably just thought wo wo wo wo that's

not necessarily immersion sure maybe not

for me and you but for a lot of people

that is the correct answer living in a

place where the language is spoken all

the time so that you have to hear it and

particularly use it immersion now are

they wrong or are we wrong or is the

term unclear I believe it's the last one

just saying immers

is ambiguous at best this is a big

problem because when I asked you guys to

give me one word that describes how you

learn a language do you want to guess

what the most popular answer was tears a

couple of people said tears but the most

common answer was immersion so it is a

problem that we don't even agree on what

it means I mean as far as I know the

bicycle Community is not in a

disagreement about what wheel means well

I mean maybe they are but they shouldn't

be they probably have that pretty sorted

defining the word immersion is important

because ambiguous terms lead to

ambiguous definitions and unclear

instructions on how to learn a language

in brief the language learning community

should all mean the same thing when we

use terms that are that prevalent in the

language learning space the first thing

is immersion so I'm going to try to help

using a text message that I got from my

brother while I was in Sweden I got this

message from my brother who was in in

Japan now I don't want to make it sound

like we're always in different parts of

the world because we both have like

private jets or anything we're not

normally overseas it was weird that we

both were at the same time but his text

said I've been thinking about this

immersion that you talk about what level

would a decently natural language

learner need to already be at before the

immersion worked and when I first read

that I was

like what because simplified to me what

that says is how good do you need to be

at the language before you can then

learn the language it's like how much

wood could a woodchuck chuck if a

woodchuck could chuck would bro lay off

the saki so confused I kept reading and

with the context of the rest of the

message I was like oh right you mean how

much of the language would you already

need to know before being in the country

would be an effective way to keep

learning the language which is a much

more sensible question than the one I

thought he was asking but not within the

the scope of a 12-minute video but it

struck me then and there that the nonh

hardcore language learning community the

99% of language interested people out

there like my brother are using the term

immersion very differently to the way

that we language learning enthusiasts

are using it my point being that if my

own brother is misunderstanding what I

mean by immersion then at least half of

what any casual language learner reads

or he is out there is probably being

misconstrued like imagine the bicycle

equivalent it would be pretty difficult

to teach someone about cycling if every

time you said wheel they heard you say

handlebars in my opinion we should not

say immersion so what should we say well

I propose two different terms one

lifestyle language immersion and two

cognitive language emmersion both

lifestyle and cognitive language

emersion are super important if you want

to learn a language to fluency and

something that I've found helpful to

boost both of those is today's sponsor

surf shark VPN there is nothing like

being in a place where the language

you're learning is spoken but the next

best thing is having access to all the

same content as the people you're going

to be talking to which is exactly what

surf shark allows you to do which is why

anyone learning a language whether

you're just starting out or at an

already advanced level should give it a

try people in Sweden were often

impressed by the fact that I knew about

Swedish things that they knew about the

books that they read the shows that they

watch and I was able to access a lot of

that stuff with surf shark surf shark is

now also a full-on Security Suite with

things like an alternative ID generator

a data breach alert a fully featured

antivirus to name just a few of them

plus you're not limited to getting all

this on just one device because the one

plan allows you to protect every device

in your household which is a really big

deal I recently got a laptop for the

first time and I installed surf shark

straight away I didn't need to worry

about whether I'd go over some device

limmit because there isn't one and maybe

you don't believe me I get it you want

to try it for yourself well you can now

do that risk-free with their 30-day

money back guarantee grab that with the

link that I'll put in the description

use code Lamont to get up to 4 months

extra on what I believe is the best

subscription a person can have other

than a YouTube subscription to days and

words but after that it's surf Shar VPN

so Link in the description or at the top

of the comments do it cool yeah so we

have lifestyle language immersion and

cognitive language immersion now the

reason the word language is in there is

that I don't want to create further

Confusion by just saying lifestyle

immersion which could be considered to

be independent of the language if we

want to shorten the terms we could say

lifestyle Li and cognitive Li so

lifestyle language emotion is what my

brother was talking about it's where

you're living your life in a place where

the language is spoken and attempting to

do so using that language and for the

record his message went on to describe

how he tried to use Japanese but it

didn't work because his level wasn't

sufficient which is why he was asking me

that so lifestyle Li is not talking

about things like let's say a British

person going on a gap year to Denmark

and just speaking English the whole time

because they can yes they may be getting

exposure to the Danish lifestyle but

since they're making no attempt to learn

or speak Danish it's not language

emotion hence the need for the word

language in the term and you might be

wondering if lifestyle Li can be done

outside of a country or region where

that language is the default well yes

with an asterisk because what separates

lifestyle lii from cognitive lii is that

it must by necessity involve some

language interaction between you and at

least some other people who speak the

language fluently so there are certain

environments where a lowkey lifestyle

language emotion is possible despite not

being where you generally expect to find

that language I'm thinking of things

like the all Swedish Gatherings that

I've been to in Sydney but speaking

generally the strongest and longest form

of Lifestyle Li will involve being in a

country or region of a country where

that language is standard and remember

this is important because that's what

99% of casually language interested

people would think that you meant by

immersion even if it's not actually what

we meant this is why I think there

should be two different terms all right

so what's cognitive language emotion

cognitive Li is exposing your brain in

any way that you can or you want to to

the language in question so you could be

in the desert in Kenya but if you're

listening to an audio book in Icelandic

then you're cognitively immersed in

Icelandic have you ever heard someone

say that this learning a language via

immersion thing must be rubbish because

what about all the people who live in

the country for years and never learn

the language I've heard that argument

and it's flawed because it assumes that

immersion is to do with your physical

location it's very possible to live in a

country but get minimal lifestyle Li to

the language of that country whilst

continuing to be cognitively immersed in

a different language I think it's worth

distinguishing between the two because

yes there is some overlap between

cognitive language emersion and

lifestyle language emersion but by

distinguishing between the two not only

can we be better language Learners

ourselves but we can also be better at

helping others to learn languages

there's a tendency particularly among

the 99% the Casual language Learners to

overrate the importance and the expected

results of Lifestyle Li a lot of people

think that just moving to a place where

the language is spoken is this one

anddone hack for perfect language

acquisition and I've even spoken to

people who know that they're going to be

moving to a particular country and

haven't started learning the language

because they use the excuse that when

they get there they'll just learn it

perfect perfectly anyway and it's just

not true but because most people don't

have that option but would love to have

I think it creates this kind of halo

effect where they just think oh if I

could just live in the country where the

language is spoken then everything would

be great and they can't imagine that any

other learning method is effective

cognitive language immersion is one such

alternative and I got a very good idea

of exactly how far that can get you when

I recently went to Sweden for the very

first time after about 15 to 1800 is

hours of cognitive language immersion

and without wanting to regail you with

Tales of my Swedish prowess or whatever

suffice it to say that it works very

very well and to the lifestyle lii

purists who say that you have to be

there to actually learn the language

properly I would say yes I sort of agree

there are benefits to being there and

certainly to living there that are

practically impossible to obtain any

other way but my experience in Sweden

quashes the idea that you just can't

learn a language sitting in your home on

the other side of the world like

learning a language from a different

country huh never going to happen so

naive that is not true and I am not the

first person to show this cognitive

language immersion Done Right can result

in proficiency that many people in that

country interpret as you at least having

lived there for some time but if you're

lucky even being a native speaker okay

so if that's the case then why even

bother making the distinction for two

reasons one remember that to the 99%

when you say immersion they hear living

in the country which means that when you

say the way to learn a language is

immersion they will hear that as sorry

unless you're going to go and live in

the country you're not going to be able

to learn the language that's not good

because that's not true so instead let's

tell them about cognitive language

immersion and what that is and the other

reason to make the distinction is that

cognitive Li as great as it is is still

not lifestyle lii cognitive is much

better in some ways but they're still

pretty different now in the perfect

language learning world we would all do

both all the time I would move to Sweden

and I would keep getting cognitive Li

and lifestyle Li but as many people do I

have things that prevent that I have

kids who go to school I have a wife with

a career Etc so the big advantage of

cognitive lii is accessibility for most

people in most studied languages it's

ready for you to jump into today my

brother for example would be able to

cognitively immerse in Japanese to get

good enough at Japanese so that the next

time he went there he might be able to

get some lifestyle lii but I said that

in order to get really good at the

language I do think you need both but it

might not be for the the reason that you

think see lifestyle language immersion

does this thing that is one of the

weirdest and most interesting language

learning discoveries I've ever made but

it's very difficult to put words around

so I've been working on a video for a

very long time make sure you check it

out because I think it will resonate and

help you put a name to something that

you've probably felt before if the video

is finished I'll put it here if it's not

finished then check out this video

anyway it's probably really good make

make sure you're subscribed and that

you've hit the Bell so that you don't

miss any videos when they come out now

that I've been to Sweden my videos are

going to be packed with goodness I

learned a lot while I was over there but

I'm still going to say Lo

[Music]