The way language is taught must change.

For years, I have taught English in many different contexts. I’ve met people from all walks of life, who share, in class, their own unique experiences.  But there is one thing I hear again and again from students – to the point where it seems almost universal. It’s a story. It’s a simple story, but a story nonetheless – one that you might even relate to. It goes something like this:

There’s a protagonist – let’s say, in this case, it’s you – and it’s your first experience learning a language in primary school. It was not a language you chose to study, nor were you given a satisfying reason to study it. Like other school subjects – geometry, algebra, biology – it was one of those things you just…had to do. Because that’s what someone decided – decided for you.

So you did it. You studied English, or French, or whatever they told you to study….and you didn’t like it. Or at least found it boring or difficult. It wasn’t something you needed in your day-to-day life. You didn’t see the relevance. So slowly, through monotonous grammar exercises and laborious sessions theorizing over sentence structure, you developed a negative relationship with something you could have enjoyed. And I really mean that – enjoyed. 

Fundamentally, the human brain is designed to learn language. Don’t believe me? I have proof. You’ve already done it excellently, at least once. Your native language was not given to you through Cambridge textbooks. It was given to you by your mom and dad, sisters or brothers – your family, your community. You learned it by jumping into the deep end (or, being born into the deep end), and figuring it out yourself. You were immersed in a whole new world where everyone around you spoke some strange code. And thanks to millenia of evolution, your tiny little baby brain decoded it. And it wasn’t even hard.

Now, as adults, our brains have changed. We no longer have the tiny little baby brains that are famous for their elasticity. Therefore, the kind of assistance we need in language learning has changed, too. Let me put it this way: Think of a baby's language acquisition capabilities like a bright-red Ferrari. Now, think of an adult’s as a beige, second-hand 2011 Toyota Camry that needs an oil change. One is faster than the other. One will need occasional assistance. Both will get you where you need to go. Because ultimately, regardless of age, your brain still has the innate mechanism to learn a language, and can do so through immersion.

Now, that last word there was pretty key: Immersion. Immersion is the only thing you need. And it’s what language schools should be putting at the core of their curriculum. Most do not. But if they did, the whole concept of learning a new language would seem, at once, exciting and manageable. It wouldn’t be a chore. It would be a hobby. Let me give you a few examples of what that could look like:

You like pottery. Well, you like the idea of it. You want to take a pottery class so you can practice the craft and create new things. So…go for it. Have fun.

But do it in your target language.

You like cooking. But, too bad, you’ve never had the chance to really get good at it. You even burn pasta. Take a class. 

But do it in your target language.

You love history. You want to learn more about the Roman empire and its fascinating fall from grace. Study it. 

But do it in your target language.

You love talking politics, but want to find a space where you can really dig deep into policy. You want to refine your ideas, hear other perspectives, debate, and question. Find a group for it. 

But do it in your target language.

The thought of doing these things in a new language is admittedly a scary one, but this is exactly how you learned a language the first time – by exploring the world, engaging in things that interest you, and growing as a person. So, this is what language academies need to provide. No more classrooms with B1 textbooks, readings, and worksheets. Let’s leave that in the 60’s, please. 

Instead, think of the future language academy as more of a community center where people come together, native and non-native speakers, to do things that interest them. You would take classes in art, music, history, science…whatever you want! But, of course, you’d do it in your target language. With the help of native speakers and qualified teachers, the immersive experience would activate the part of your brain that every one of us already has.

It’s an ambitious vision. It will take time to build and even more time to perfect. But that is where Lincoln Academy, and I, are headed. A new way of acquisition in an increasingly globalized world. Because the bottom line is this: Learning a language is not a chore. It’s a gift. So let’s start treating it that way.

By: Mikkel Undlin