One of the most important parts of language study is immersion. Many people forgo this element when studying in their home country or a country that doesn’t predominately use their target language. Don’t give up! There are many ways to immerse yourself and get three or four more hours of exposure. Some of these include:

• Film and television
• Language exchange apps
• Scaled-down news articles
• Podcasts and YouTube channel

The sheer volume of content you can find in other languages is unprecedented. Whether you’re interested in architecture, skating, or pop culture commentary, you can locate it in a bit of time. Each of these types is all useful.

1. Film and television are the most common forms of input in other languages. They’re easily found on most streaming platforms and contain contemporary work and classics. If you want to watch something you may be able to understand without subtitles, kids’ shows or reality TV are great options, too. Watching movies and TV shows is also one of the easiest conversation starters, as you start with some output activities like a language exchange app.
2. Language exchange apps like HelloTalk and Tandem are great ways to find output opportunities. Not all apps are the same, but many offer individual chats, interest groups, live streams, and posts. My favorite in-app feature is the ability to edit someone else’s post directly, showing them correct or more natural grammar. If you get close enough to your partner, you can move up to in-app calls or video chats.
3. Scaled-down news articles are the best reading-focus input. They focus on topics that most adults know of from their news outlets, so you don’t have to read the equivalent of The Cat in the Hat. They usually include a “define” function, so you don’t have to look back and forth between the article and a dictionary. (You can learn to say “nuclear fission” in real time!)
4. Podcasts and YouTube channels were the way that many of my most advanced students abroad learned English. Providing a slightly more personal experience, most had a favorite vlogger or streamer with whom they created a sustained relationship. While it usually started from a specialty topic like gaming or fashion, their investment in the channel taught them phrases, vocabulary, and grammar that they’d never hear elsewhere. 

If you’re a person who thrives with structure, though, most UCs still offer registration for their Summer Session 2 online language intensive. Here’s the link to UCLA’s summer intensives for a taste of the languages offered. 

Have a good summer, and happy language learning!