Language immersion helps children learn naturally by hearing and using a language during everyday activities.
Chimmy 5in1 Language Center offers French, Spanish, Mandarin, and English immersion classes for kids in Laguna Niguel and throughout Orange County. Children learn through stories, songs, games, and conversations.
Learning a language is one thing and applying it is something else entirely. Lessons in a classroom provide children with words, phrases, and skills of language. Immersion gives them an opportunity to apply their language skills while they play, converse, listen, create, and explore. Rather than rote memorization of words, immersion in the language takes place through storytelling and games.
In a typical language class, the teacher might teach vocabulary, phrases, grammar or a lesson and let the kids practice what they have learned.
In an immersion class, however, the language is a part of the activity itself.
They may get to hear the language in a game, be given instructions in the language while making something, listen to a story, sing a song, answer questions or interact with the teacher and other kids.
Regular language learning:
Learn the words → Practice the words → Use the words.
Immersion learning:
Hear the language → Understand it through context → Participate → Use it naturally.
This question is often asked by parents, particularly when their child is already in a language class.
And the answer is straightforward: Language acquisition is different from language use. A child can understand vocabulary words but still be uncomfortable when addressed through spoken language. A child can understand a vocabulary word written in a worksheet but cannot use it in conversations.
With immersion, there will be more chances for children to link what they have learned with the way the language is being used.
The objective here is to give children more exposure and chances to use what they are learning.
It is not staying in class and listening to the teacher talk all through the class period.
Children are engaged.
A class can involve:
Tales are used to teach language naturally. The children will have an opportunity to listen, observe images, understand characters and actions, answer questions and hear the words that they already know.
Games make sure the children have reasons to listen and respond. They will be required to follow instructions, identify objects, ask questions and interact with other children.
Simple conversations within the classroom environment will help the children practice greetings, questions, answers and daily expressions.
Singing and dancing makes it easier for the young children to listen to and repeat sounds, words and expressions.
Art, craft, role plays and activities will help the children use language as they do other things.
Focuses on structured language lessons |
May introduce specific vocabulary |
Can include direct instruction |
May include worksheets and exercises |
Practice can be lesson-focused |
Focuses on using language throughout activities |
Vocabulary is experienced in context |
Learning happens through participation |
Uses stories, games, conversations, and activities |
Practice happens throughout the experience |
Immersion does not replace the value of structured language learning. Instead, it provides children with another way to experience and use the language.
This web page should not serve as a replacement for our language programs. Should you be interested in learning about one of these languages, please refer to the program itself.
The immersion program addresses the experiences of children within the language.