Teaching/Learning a language in another country?

browneyedgirl36 · 06-20-2008, 05:01 PM

HI All --

First, let me say I LOVE this new forum. Great idea!

I have been to Italy twice and loooooooooooved it, so much that I'm dying to go back. I speak/read some Italian already, but one of my major life goals is to become fluent -- to the point where I can carry on a conversation in Italian totally naturally, watch TV in Italian and totally understand it, etc.

So, I had a thought...I'd LOVE to go to Italy for one of those intensive immersion-type courses, wherein I would live there for 6-8 weeks (I could do this over the summer, as I am a teacher and technically have the summer off unless I choose to teach summer school) and learn the language 6-8 hours a day. That would be my first choice, but if I couldn't do that, I'd consider teaching English to Italians for a similar amount of time (I know they have programs for this, but my understanding is that it's hard to get into some of these programs, at least in Italy).

Ok, my question: Has anyone done this? Not just in Italy, but in ANY foreign country. If so, how did you get into it? How much did it cost? What was your experience? I did buy a book on the subject, as well as one on living/working in Italy, but I'd love to hear some real-life experiences of those of you who have done this type of thing in any country.

Thanks!

**arwen** · 06-20-2008, 05:24 PM

I stayed in Italy for half a year as a student. I took an intensive course for 6 weeks in the beginning, but since I also had to work for my studies I didn't have my full focus on it. My tips:

* Universities offer these courses as part of exchange programs (Socrates/Erasmus depending on who is exchanging with what country). University courses are most likely the cheapest.
* a lot of Italians would LOVE to learn English from a native speaker. Put up an ad to teach peer-to-peer so to say.
* make sure if you live there that you are not too much part of the community of people from abroad. I had a lot of 'international' friends in Italy but not nearly as much Italian friends. Learning Italian is lot easier in the presence of a lot of... Italians!

* keep the language alive if you return home (assuming you won't emigrate). I lost most of my ability, but my passive skills are still quite good. It's over 5 years ago now, but I regret that I didn't keep on studying it.

Buona fortuna!

Arwen

greywolf · 06-20-2008, 05:26 PM

I stayed in Costa Rica for 3 months for a spanish immersion course. I loved it. It was pretty expensive though. Try to see if you can get financial aid to pay for it.

Creative · 06-20-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arwen

* make sure if you live there that you are not too much part of the community of people from abroad. I had a lot of 'international' friends in Italy but not nearly as much Italian friends. Learning Italian is lot easier in the presence of a lot of... Italians!

I made the same mistake when i went aboard. It's irresistible because international students are the safety net (even if they don't speak the same language as you). They're often the ones you can identify with, have the same issue you're dealing with. Didn't regret it, but now that i think back to it... i would have learnt much more.

Ixtapa · 06-21-2008, 06:37 AM

I learned English in London, German in Munich and Spanish in Barcelona some years ago....it was just so great I'm about to go to Egypt in the Fall to learn basic Arabic

I would advise you against taking classes for 6 to 8 hours a day....half day classes are usually better (4 to 5 hours max). You do need some "off" time to actually study on your own and memorize.....otherwise you will soon feel like your head is about to explode !!

browneyedgirl36 · 06-21-2008, 02:10 PM

Thanks for all of the advice so far, folks! This has been really helpful!

Keep the responses coming!

browneyedgirl36 · 06-21-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ixtapa

I learned English in London, German in Munich and Spanish in Barcelona some years ago....it was just so great I'm about to go to Egypt in the Fall to learn basic Arabic

I would advise you against taking classes for 6 to 8 hours a day....half day classes are usually better (4 to 5 hours max). You do need some "off" time to actually study on your own and memorize.....otherwise you will soon feel like your head is about to explode !!

You're right...I get a little overzealous when I get excited about something; I can totally see that 8 hours a day would be too much! I definitely need to leave time for studying, reviewing, and, of course, PRACTICING among the locals at wonderful cafes, restaurants, shops, public transport, etc.

Any and all other suggestions you might have would be great!

bpsekh · 06-28-2008, 08:48 AM

Right now teaching I'm English in Taipei, Taiwan. In addition to my regular job, I also do language exchange on the weekends. It's easy an easy job, just involves going around to different restaurants or cafes, and talking to people who want to learn English or Spanish in those languages for an hour or two. It's rather low pay by American standards (just under $5.50/hr), but it's a good way to meet people, and I usually get free coffee and sometimes a free meal out of it, so I don't complain.

I'm planning to leave to learn Arabic in Dubai when I get the chance.

06-20-2008, 05:01 PM	#1
browneyedgirl36 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Someplace Sunny! Gender: Female Posts: 1,769	Teaching/Learning a language in another country? HI All -- First, let me say I LOVE this new forum. Great idea! I have been to Italy twice and loooooooooooved it, so much that I'm dying to go back. I speak/read some Italian already, but one of my major life goals is to become fluent -- to the point where I can carry on a conversation in Italian totally naturally, watch TV in Italian and totally understand it, etc. So, I had a thought...I'd LOVE to go to Italy for one of those intensive immersion-type courses, wherein I would live there for 6-8 weeks (I could do this over the summer, as I am a teacher and technically have the summer off unless I choose to teach summer school) and learn the language 6-8 hours a day. That would be my first choice, but if I couldn't do that, I'd consider teaching English to Italians for a similar amount of time (I know they have programs for this, but my understanding is that it's hard to get into some of these programs, at least in Italy). Ok, my question: Has anyone done this? Not just in Italy, but in ANY foreign country. If so, how did you get into it? How much did it cost? What was your experience? I did buy a book on the subject, as well as one on living/working in Italy, but I'd love to hear some real-life experiences of those of you who have done this type of thing in any country. Thanks! __________________ "You cannot be directed to decide against yourself without first being deceived into thinking that what hurts you can also help you." Guy Finley

06-20-2008, 05:24 PM	#2
arwen Offline Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The Netherlands Gender: Female Age: 29 Posts: 5,396	I stayed in Italy for half a year as a student. I took an intensive course for 6 weeks in the beginning, but since I also had to work for my studies I didn't have my full focus on it. My tips: * Universities offer these courses as part of exchange programs (Socrates/Erasmus depending on who is exchanging with what country). University courses are most likely the cheapest. * a lot of Italians would LOVE to learn English from a native speaker. Put up an ad to teach peer-to-peer so to say. * make sure if you live there that you are not too much part of the community of people from abroad. I had a lot of 'international' friends in Italy but not nearly as much Italian friends. Learning Italian is lot easier in the presence of a lot of... Italians! * keep the language alive if you return home (assuming you won't emigrate). I lost most of my ability, but my passive skills are still quite good. It's over 5 years ago now, but I regret that I didn't keep on studying it. Buona fortuna! Arwen __________________ You always* have a choice.* 11 February 2010: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]* is due!* Please see the forum rules for posting on enotalone.com

06-20-2008, 05:26 PM	#3
greywolf Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Good question... Gender: Female Posts: 5,196	I stayed in Costa Rica for 3 months for a spanish immersion course. I loved it. It was pretty expensive though. Try to see if you can get financial aid to pay for it. __________________ "I'll never understand this until I get my penis." ~hersmudders "Give me life. Give me pain. Give me myself again." ~Tori Amos Pacquiao is gonna beat Cotto's ass!! w00t!

06-21-2008, 06:37 AM	#5
Ixtapa Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Gender: Female Age: 38 Posts: 312	I learned English in London, German in Munich and Spanish in Barcelona some years ago....it was just so great I'm about to go to Egypt in the Fall to learn basic Arabic I would advise you against taking classes for 6 to 8 hours a day....half day classes are usually better (4 to 5 hours max). You do need some "off" time to actually study on your own and memorize.....otherwise you will soon feel like your head is about to explode !! __________________ "I don't believe that life is supposed to make you feel good, or make you feel miserable either. Life is just supposed to make you feel. - Gloria Naylor

06-21-2008, 02:10 PM	#6
browneyedgirl36 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Someplace Sunny! Gender: Female Posts: 1,769	Thanks for all of the advice so far, folks! This has been really helpful! Keep the responses coming! __________________ "You cannot be directed to decide against yourself without first being deceived into thinking that what hurts you can also help you." Guy Finley

06-28-2008, 08:48 AM	#8
bpsekh Offline Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Somewhere in Asia Gender: Male Posts: 61	Right now teaching I'm English in Taipei, Taiwan. In addition to my regular job, I also do language exchange on the weekends. It's easy an easy job, just involves going around to different restaurants or cafes, and talking to people who want to learn English or Spanish in those languages for an hour or two. It's rather low pay by American standards (just under $5.50/hr), but it's a good way to meet people, and I usually get free coffee and sometimes a free meal out of it, so I don't complain. I'm planning to leave to learn Arabic in Dubai when I get the chance.