How To Learn Languages

Here are three other testimonials from Canadian students: one from Emma, who participated in an Academic Year Program in Germany, and two other from Kelly’s mother and Jennifer, who participated in our language courses in France.

”Student exchange program ‘wonderful’ experience” ( Joel Jacobson)

This article has been published in The Chronicle Herald from Nova Scotia, in September 2007, and is about Emma’s experience in Germany with Nacel.

Emma Reid of Halifax, Nova Scotia, participated in the Nacel Canada Academic Program (2006-2007). Upon her return, she says the experience in Germany was “wonderful‘. She continues to qualify there was an adjustment period for herself and her host family. Emma had minimum exposure to the German language before her departure.

“My schoolwork was impossible for me to keep up with, and my language problems weren’t helping me in any way. Then, one of her teachers in Germany turned things around. In one of my first German French Grade 11 classes, my teacher helped many of my classmates get to know me much better. He told us he had brought a newspaper article written about me. I was a little puzzled, considering the only newspaper article about me I could recall was the Great Kids piece written before I had even left Canada. He explained that friends of his were vacationing in Canada and were in Halifax the day the article was published. They saw that I would be attending the gymnasium school (in Trittau, near Hamburg) where my French teacher taught, so they brought the article home to him. He shared it with my classmates. Though it was a French lesson, I spent that entire class working on our English translating skills. They learned about my interests and background, a great way for them to get to know me, especially considering my poor German skills. It was a wonderful start to making friends.”

As the year progressed Emma’s German language skills greatly improved and her involvement in various activities also, turning it into a great success. Her host family enjoyed showing her their country, they travelled at all points of Germany. She misses the bakeries and enjoyed the directness of the people. ‘They don’t beat around the bush but say what they think,” say Emma. Now that she is back home, she feels because of her experience she could get along anywhere. “The experience was wonderful. I became much more independent. I’d recommend to anyone. I certainly opened my eyes and showed me people are not all that different. Yes, I was glad to get home, but kind of sad to leave my new friends, too.”

This is an email from the mother of Kelly, from British Colombia. She participated to our Language courses in France in 2005

” I just want to drop you a little note to say that Kelly’s trip to Lyon was outstanding. She loved Ludo (the Tutor) and she truly bonded with her French family. She is just full of stories and grand memories. She didn’t think that she actually learned much French from the classes but she certainly learned a lot from living in that environment - not only in comprehension but in her confidence to speak French and confidence in general. This trip further developed admiration and interest to learn more about the French and the French culture.” wrote Mrs. Sharp August 4th, 2005 via email

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Kelly is currently in France, Academic Trimester Program in Boarding School September to December 2007 trough Nacel. She is happy with her weekend host family and the school. She is hoping to further her studies in Montreal next September.

Here are some excerpts from a letter to Nacel from participant Jennifer, living in Edmonton Alberta, and who participated in our Tutorial in France in 2005.
… “Overall, I gained experience and pleasure during my time in France-I enjoyed the tutor sessions (my tutor: Guilmette) immensely, and the excursions were excellent for learning about French history and culture”.
Jennifer continued to write ‘ I feel that I returned from France with a new sense of mind, and greater control over the French language. I can speak faster, and more fluently-although I’m nowhere near perfect-and I have had a glorious time reciting my many experiences to my friends and family.”
… my host parents “were very welcoming and accepting of my cultural differences, were always attempting to help me learn more about the French. My host-brothers also communicated in a proficient and friendly manner, as well-they were very welcoming.”

Did you like these testimonials? Don’t hesitate to share your experience abroad too!