Acquisition vs. Learning: Immersion

Estimated time: 20'



The objectives of this nano-course are: 

  • To make a first approach into the pedagogical virtues of immersion for the second acquisition of a second language.

  • To identify the particular convictions and nuances from which Vivadí implements immersive methodology in its program.


We suggest you re-visit these objectives when you complete the course!


Start from scratch


In Vivadí we know that there are no magic ingredients to solve, in such a short time, what years of abandonment and misdirected practices have produced in Brazilian schools. However, it is in the combination of successful strategies that significant steps are taken in the direction of a true and genuine acquisition of the language. One of these strategies -which also stands as one of our most emblematic pedagogical practices- is Immersion.


In the next nano-course, you will be able to explore a little more what this prestigious methodology consists of and, more importantly, how it is located in the heart of the Vivadí system.


Mindfulness exercise:


Immersion - Harmony
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Concept Video

It's showtime

From the following video and in the voices of our founders and experts, you'll be able to understand how does the concept of Immersion articulate with Vivadí's philosophy.


Food for thought


Check out Mike Bostwick's unique views on immersion and the significance and importance of immersive techniques on language acquisition!


Wall of the wise words

- John Dewey
- Dr. Seuss

Call to action

Into the wild

Taking into account all that you have learned and discovered during this Nano-Course, we suggest you take this new knowledge to task. Try to provide yourself of an immersive experience, in which you dispense all help, stimuli or previous introduction in your mother tongue.

Let's start simple: next time you have the opportunity to watch a movie online, just set off the subtitles and try to understand all you can exclusively in English.



In a nutshell

1st Concept

The acquisition of a language has its own logic that is far from the cognitive operation consented to learn most traditional content in school.

2nd Concept

Traditional teaching makes a false equivalence between learning about a language and acquiring it.

3rd Concept

The key to an immersive experience is the provision of a real and meaningful atmosphere, which must be exclusively within the language one wishes to teach.


4th Concept

Unlike what is usually intended -where students respond to the demands of others- in Vivadí the adults are the ones who carry the responsibility of filling the immersive experience with meaning.


5th Concept

Immersion means that the new language is the medium of instruction as well as the object of instruction.


6th Concept

Typically it takes more than two or three years in an immersion program before the full benefits of immersion become evident. For this reason, it is important that students stay in the program the entire elementary program in order to realize the second language advantages of immersion.


7th Concept

Language is acquired most effectively when it is learned in a meaningful social context.


8th Concept

Immersion education has shown that immersion students consistently meet or exceed academic expectations in cultural sensitivity because they are more aware of and show positive attitudes towards other cultures.



A look in the mirror

You, and only you, can really grasp the understanding of this nano-course's main concepts. We invite you to complete this self-assessment and see it for yourself.  

1. What would be the reason why the process of acquiring English in schools is failing?
2. The key to a meaningful immersion is:
3. The participation of families is key in the immersion process because:
4. The process of immersion in a second language is worth doing:
5. A second language is acquired more effectively when:
6. Immersion in a second language at the earliest age has the following effect: