Today, Aubrey chats with the host of the Impolyglot Podcast, Lionel Junior.
He shares three ways to create language immersion in English wherever you live.
Listen in to build your English fluency and confidence!
Lionel of Impolyglot
Lionel is a French language enthusiast who studied English Philology, Social Linguistics, and Second Language Acquisition.
He moved to the U.S. after his degree and then settled in Barcelona, Spain.
He is the creator of the podcast Impolyglot and La Brocast.
These are fantastic resources if you are also learning French.
In today’s episode, Lionel will talk about how you can learn a new language by creating immersion for yourself.
He has redefined this approach in learning.
Immersion in language learning
Exposure is the most important thing in learning a new language.
Immersing yourself is usually defined as living in or traveling to a country where the language is spoken.
This way, you can naturally pick it up by living there and speaking the way locals do.
Lionel shares that we may think immersion is a magical fix.
Learning a new language is difficult and it doesn’t happen on its own.
There are people who travel abroad and try to live in a country where a different language is spoken, yet still don’t pick it up, even after staying there for 10 years.
Today, Lionel is going to talk about three ways you can create immersion while learning English, without having to uproot your life or travel to an English-speaking country.
You can leverage today’s technology to make this easier for you.
#1: Label everyday things
This allows you to learn everyday vocabulary and use it to start conversations and express yourself.
Place sticky notes on objects around your house, such as putting “refrigerator” on the note.
Lionel once had an experience where he understood Shakespeare but lacked the everyday English vernacular needed for regular use.
Sticky notes help train your brain because the words are always in front of you.
Visual cues are key, as they help you associate an object with the word written on the note.
This is a very practical tip.
#2: Find content that you normally consume
Don’t force yourself through boring material.
Don’t take in content that you wouldn’t usually consume in your native language.
Find something that you’re really interested in.
This shouldn’t feel like you’re studying or feel like a chore.
It’s very easy to only listen to podcasts and watch shows, but don’t forget about reading.
Having visuals of the words and learning to spell things will make you retain the language and information more.
Have a good variety of material for the language you’re trying to learn.
#3: Set your inner monologue to the target language
Lionel mentions that the most difficult part of learning a language is speaking.
We naturally think in our native language, but practicing how to think in the language you want to learn can be a game changer.
This takes time and practice, but the brain is a muscle.
With consistency and discipline, you can gradually change your internal monologue into English.
This is a powerful technique that helps you properly immerse yourself without having to leave your home country.
With this approach, you also need to build your vocabulary, because expressing yourself or thinking in another language requires the right words.
Takeaway
You don’t need to move abroad to immerse yourself in English.
It’s more important to be intentional and creative with how you learn.
True immersion is something you can build for yourself by weaving English into your everyday life.
Labeling your surroundings with sticky notes, consuming content you genuinely enjoy, and gradually training your inner voice to think in the language will all make a huge difference.
With the tools and technology available today, immersion is more accessible than ever.
The key is consistency and personalization.
Choose methods that fit your interests and lifestyle so learning doesn’t feel like a chore.
When English becomes a natural part of your daily routine instead of work, progress happens more easily and more sustainably.
Visit https://www.impolyglot.com/ to get more resources from Lionel.
Which one today’s tips will you implement right away?
We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
