Understanding the culture and customs of the native speakers of a language is an important part of the language learning process. By immersing oneself in and understanding the culture and the way in which a language is spoken by native users, students are able to connect theoretical teaching with real-world situations. This gives learning a context in use, and allows the student to pick up slang and real life experience. For those unable to go on a Lingoo homestay vacation or language exchange there are options for practising their language skills closer to home.
Changing demographics, globalisation, and the access to affordable travel has led to a growing interest in and a passion for different cultures in the United Kingdom. Although foreign-owned and managed restaurants and shops exist across the UK, they are most prevalent in London. These are places in which locals and tourists can get a taste of different cultures from almost every country in the world: there are even entire districts such as Chinatown. In recent years one cultural phenomenon that has spread across the United Kingdom is the traditional German Christmas market. Each year city centres in some of the largest UK cities are transformed to host these increasingly popular cultural markets. Selling a range of traditional crafts as well as popular German food and drink, such as Bratwurst and Gluweihn, these markets are often a focal point of the city’s festive celebrations. The growth of German Christmas markets has been influenced by the large scale success of the Frankfurt Christmas market in Birmingham, which inspired city leaders across the United Kingdom to follow suit. For German language students these German markets may present an opportunity not only to experience a small taste of German culture, but to practice their language skills with native speakers.
So how does this compare to native language immersion?
Although the markets are of German origin not all the stallholders are German. Instead, specialists in their craft or cuisine travel across Europe to run their stalls. The authenticity varies from city to city and there is no guarantee that students will be able to practise their language skills. However, it could be a good starting point in preparation for a homestay language holiday or language exchange. Did you visit a German Christmas market this year? If so you may enjoy this selection of the best as featured in the Daily Telegraph