Posted in Learn Spanish
Why? When the second unofficial language in America is Spanish and in some cities it’s number one. You would think there would be several immersion schools around the US. You could be in a school in El Paso or Laredo in a classroom for a few hours, then reading Spanish newspapers, listening to the radio or watching Univision or Telemundo after classes, then go to a Mexican restaurant or a club at night. Have cross border trips on the weekends. I would pass through the border towns right now, but after you get deeper into Mexico it gets safer.
You could do the same thing in any city in the Southwest. Phoenix, Anywhere in California south of Sacramento, Tucson or San Antonio. I think it might be a little more effort to stay immersed once you get further north like Dallas or Las Vegas, but it would still be possible.
There are newspapers, magazines and radio stations to fit almost any taste. There are almost as many Spanish speaking TV stations on cable as there are English speaking. Enough news, sports, telenovelas, game shows, talk shows and movies to keep someone immersed forever, if you really wanted to. Most large cities have at least one neighborhood that is completely Spanish. Store signs, menus, even churches, everything completely in Spanish.
Two Week Total Immersion
A two week vacation somewhere exotic would be cool for tourists, but realistically, two weeks and you’re probably just getting started. What about a month or more where you can still go to work for 8 hours then go to Spanish immersion for the rest of the day. Staying immersed when you go home may take some effort if you’re the only one in a household learning, but what about having the entire family participate? Or stay in a hotel or dorm next to the school and participate in evening activities.
If any Venture Capitalists think that’s a good idea, call me. Otherwise I hope someone starts one or if there’s some already out there that I can’t find, let me know.
5 Responses
CancunCanuck
March 28th, 2008 at 6:29 am
1Hi Wayne,
Glad to have found your blog, your links and advice are very helpful, thanks! There is a school here in Cancun that caters to the “immersion” that tourists might seek. They offer courses by the week or longer and can assist in finding accommodations with a family or private lodgings. They have a course that is for people who want to learn Spanish and learn how to dive as well. I have a couple of friends who attend class off and on and it is a very good program. For myself, it’s tooooo expensive, I’m a local and get paid like a local so their “tourist” prices are too high for me. I guess when I win the lottery I will enrol.
Here’s their website…. http://www.cancun-language.com.mx/default.html
Wayne
March 29th, 2008 at 3:52 am
2That was kind of my point, most of these classes seem to be more for tourist and not really for serious students. I could be wrong, but that’s my impression.
I bet Cancun is incredible, except for all the tourist!
Thanks, I’ve seen your blog before during my, all of the ex-pats are linked together, which is really cool. Thanks for the mention and I put your link up here too.
I read your learning Spanish post. Sounds like quite a struggle by yourself with absolutely nothing. I bet it was worth it though.
CancunCanuck
March 31st, 2008 at 3:55 pm
3Wayne,
LOL, if it wasn’t for the tourists, it would be paradise (just kidding of course). Yes, being self taught isn’t easy, and maybe not the recommended way to go but it sure feels good when everything goes well!
(thanks for the link!)
Zoey
April 1st, 2008 at 3:06 pm
4Hey Wayne, that’s an interesting point! However, one of the pitfalls is that in a situation where you need to express yourself (in Spanish), but can’t (in Spanish) it is all too easy resort to your native tongue. One of the reasons for which immersion is such an effective way to learn a language is the fact that when there is no chance to resort to english people find a way to get their message across somehow and you engage with the language at a far accelerated level. There is something about ‘having your back against the wall’ linguistically that really helps a foreign language click into place. Or at least that has been my experience!
Wayne
April 1st, 2008 at 7:32 pm
5I see your point, but have you been to Laredo, El Paso or Brownsville, TX??? Especially in some parts, you would be hard pressed to find someone that spoke understandable English.
And even in an immersion setting, you have beginners walking around saying, “Como se dice …..?” for a week.
I’m just saying it’s possible if you really wanted to.
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