For decades, learning a second language seemed like something reserved only for those with superior cognitive abilities and very dedicated students inside a classroom, until a dyslexic managed to break that prejudice forever.
During a trip to Britain in the 1960s, a Swede named Bertil Hult, who suffered from dyslexia, was surprised by how quickly he learned to handle English thanks to this transfer, a radical and very rare practice at that time, but which changed the way of learning languages. Effective teaching moved from the classroom to the streets, travel being a fundamental tool to achieve learning.
Bertil Hult
In this way, it was demystified that a learning disorder as common as dyslexia, which according to studies about 20% of the world’s population may suffer from some of its symptoms[i]It is an impediment to learning. And indeed, one of the most used methodologies to achieve effective learning in those who suffer from dyslexia is the use of the empirical over the theoretical, with strong visual and oral support. Bertil Hult He experienced all these modalities, and adding a trip, he found the perfect formula to achieve learning through experiences.
Today more than 114 countries in the world replicate this method, with which anyone can become bilingual regardless of their age, and in much less time than attending a classroom, thanks to a complete immersion in the culture.
Convinced of his method, Bertil Hult flooded in Sweden a small company called Europeiska Ferieskolan (European Holiday School, abbreviated as EF), the prelude to what is now Education First EFthe largest educational organization in the world, and with which more than 2,500 Chilean students have successfully realized the dream of being bilingual in recent years, following the experiential learning philosophy established by EF and practiced during its 50-year history.
The Europeiska Ferieskolan, founded by Bertil Hult
Paul ParraGeneral Manager of EF Education First Philippinesexplains that “the case of Bertil Hult is emblematic, because her story shows us that the only barrier to learning another language is the one we put on ourselves. The secret to becoming bilingual depends a lot on the dedication that each one gives to the objectivebut the method chosen to learn is also decisive”.
And in that sense, taking a study trip to learn another language seems like an investment that not everyone could make. But considering that studying abroad for a month is equivalent to doing it in Chile for a whole year, and that the method facilitates the understanding of the language even in people with learning disorders such as dyslexia, is an investment worth analyzing. Pablo Parera, General Manager of EF Education First Chile
The global context also favors those who speak another language at work. According to Parera “today being bilingual is more important than having a postgraduate degree, since the possibilities of getting a job are not only in Chile. The telecommuting it opened the door for bilingual professionals to be hired by companies from other countries without the need to hold the position in distant lands”.
Chile is not far behind in this trend that sees a strong post-pandemic recovery. The number of Chilean students who will travel abroad to learn languages will quadruple in January, showing decisive dynamism compared to July this year.