There are a number of language immersion programs available for students to learn a foreign language by studying 8 hours a day and living with a host family in a foreign country to continue speaking the host’s language. The program usually lasts for a number of weeks and the student is only allowed to communicate in the language such as Spanish if the student is in Mexico, Spain or any Latin American country where Spanish is spoken and the immersion educational experience is offered.
Duolingual Education is a methodology for service abroad opportunities that combines a student’s immersion experience in a foreign country for a four-month period. A volunteer travels to a host country and teaches children English in a classroom situation but also teaches other activities such as celebrate a birthday, play games, sing songs, act out stories or participate in creative expression and all the while, volunteer teacher and students speak English. Volunteer teachers go to countries such as China, Russia, the Ukraine and Mexico. They live either in a dorm or apartment or with a host family. During their stay, they are immersed in the culture and learn how to speak the language of the host country. In a sense, the teacher volunteer and the children go about teaching each other their native language while interacting together in a classroom situation.
The volunteer does not need to know the language of the host country so the experience will be learned from the very ground up learning from hosts and students and exchanging by teaching host and students English. The volunteer is not paid for their services, but must pay a fee which includes air fare, visa, housing, food, language and cultural classes, pre-departure training, on-site training, and on-site supervision. The volunteer can either pay or raise funds through personally raised contributions. It is highly recommended that extra money is taken to the country for extra expenses.
This is a perfect program for young people and married couples are encouraged to travel and experience Duolingual Education together. There is no age limit but the program seems to attract college students and young professionals who are looking for an adventure in another country while helping to teach children English.
The institution for this program is a non-profit organization with no affiliation with universities or religious organizations. If students need credits, they must make arrangements in advance with their school.
