So you wanna’ learn English?
Word of the Day: “OSMOSIS” (look it up!).
Language learning at its best is not “learning” at all, but a process of natural, unconscious absorption via extended exposure in an immersive environment. Context is everything, and necessity is the mother of invention. So to the degree that you need to eat, drink, get around, find a place, buy a product, or make a new friend, language will ultimately come of its own accord. And herein my friends, is the simple but profound secret of Homestay. Sure, it’s great to have a nice school and an inspiring teacher. But these are things a serious student of language can find right at home. At the end of the day, a language school is really just an excuse to buy a plane ticket and get yourself out of your comfort zone. And in fairness, unless you are enrolled for a Teacher Stay, not too many homestays will be available or even willing to be your conjoined twin for three months while you are in Canada. So a language school, or school of any kind, becomes a very practical adjunct to any complete ESL, EAL, or EFL (whatever you want to call it) experience. But don’t kid yourself: at the heart of any English learning experience is the real-life application of it. The time you spend in the school classroom will be helpful to becoming familiar with the ‘tools’ (grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, etc.), you’ll need as foundation, but the real classroom is outside the classroom walls- at the park, on the beach, in the bus, ordering a coffee, asking directions, buying a bus pass, listening to the radio/movies/music AND… (wait for it!)… with your Homestay family! So before you sign on the dotted line for that particular career college, high school, ESL institute, or whatever, spend a little time looking into quality homestay programs as well- your energy and effort will be well rewarded. Finding a great homestay company to find you a great homestay host is HUGE! Because the very best English learning happens when you aren’t even aware of it.
Don’t just learn English- LIVE IT!