The Wall Street Journal on DialoguE LanguageS 5

These are excerpts from an article by reporter Brandon Mitchener on intensive and full-immersion foreign language training. The article appeared in the Wall Street Journal Europe Edition, Friday-Saturday, June 27-28, 1997.

One-on-One Instruction

In fact, people who have taken a full-immersion plunge say group classes should be limited to five students, especially if you’re beyond the absolute-beginner level. The more numerous or more advanced the students, the more likely the ability level will vary wildly.

Small Is Beautiful

A reason to opt for one-on-one instruction, or at least go to a school that offers one-on-one lessons, is the opportunity to work on specialized vocabulary and cultural issues that wouldn’t be part of a traditional curriculum.

Of course, schools like DIALOGUE have their price. (…) But considering the degree of individual attention they provide, students who attend them have a better shot at satisfaction.