In all my research, I have gathered enough information and testimonies to conclude that total immersion appears to be most successful way of learning english as a second language. What does this mean? This means that when a student is thrown into a classroom where they don't have many chances of interacting with peers who speak their native language, they have no choice but to learn English. Although this may seem cruel and insensitive to some, it is, in fact, the quickest and most natural form of learning a language. This is tied to the survival instincts that humans are born with. Many times, we work better under pressure. It's the same concept with ESL students. These young children, whose minds absorb like a sponge, have the capability of picking up a new language in a matter of months, especially when immersed into an environment where that's all they hear. So if total immersion is most effective, and also so simple to do, why is a program designated to teach ESL even needed? Couldn't we just completely eliminate the entire ESL program structure and put foreign students in classrooms to fend for themselves? I do not believe so.
Even though total immersion seems to be the most effective. L. Rodriguez pointed out something very interesting. Even though immersion was the most beneficial for him, getting the extra help from the aid he worked with after school allowed more one-on-one tutoring. This he explained, was different from being secluded in a classroom full of other spanish speaking students. Having an aid that can work with you on your social skills he explained helped his confidence to make friends as well as made it easier for him to learn content material while in class. He explained immersion to be the most beneficial but also touched on the fact that immersion can be very overwhelming, not having the proper social skills for total immersion can cause an ESL learner to shut down and not be receptive to the content material.
Even though total immersion seems to be the most effective. L. Rodriguez pointed out something very interesting. Even though immersion was the most beneficial for him, getting the extra help from the aid he worked with after school allowed more one-on-one tutoring. This he explained, was different from being secluded in a classroom full of other spanish speaking students. Having an aid that can work with you on your social skills he explained helped his confidence to make friends as well as made it easier for him to learn content material while in class. He explained immersion to be the most beneficial but also touched on the fact that immersion can be very overwhelming, not having the proper social skills for total immersion can cause an ESL learner to shut down and not be receptive to the content material.