Do You Really Need to Move Abroad to Learn a Language?

In this video I deconstruct the common misconception that you need to move to a country where your target language is primarily spoken for you to actually learn that language. I argue that this assumption is premised on a number of misunderstandings concerning how language acquisition works, such as neglecting comprehensible input, committing to the language ideology of nativespeakerism and adopting a pre-internet mindset. Whereupon I tackle the issue of whether moving abroad might at least be helpful (if not necessary), and answer in the positive, with one caveat: setting time aside to practise and study alone while abroad. Finally, I illustrate my points by drawing upon my own experience learning English in Spain vs learning it in England.

Sources:

-Lewis, Benny. N. d. "Why moving to a country may not lead to learning the language & what learners & expats CAN do"
https://www.fluentin3months.com/move-country/

-Migranting Miss. N.d. "Can You Really Learn a Language by Moving Abroad?" https://www.migratingmiss.com/can-really-learn-language-moving-abroad/