There are three distinct categories that Summer Language Programs seem to fall into: Domestic programs; International Language Immersion Programs without a home stay; and International Language Programs with a home stay. All language programs tend to have longer dates since it is unlikely that your child will learn enough in a week or two.
The domestic language programs tend to be geared toward a slightly younger crowd, who aren’t quite ready to venture internationally. They have structured classes in a dorm setting at a boarding school or college campus. A few traditional camps have language (ex. Canadian camps that include French).
Most of the international programs combine language learning with wilderness, adventure and/or community service and provide lots of opportunities for kids to practice their language skills with locals. A few language programs combine sports like soccer with language and cultural exposure. Some have more structured classroom time than others. If they don’t include a home stay, students often live together in hotels, hostels, tents or community centers. A few international boarding schools run language programs in the summer that have classroom time and camp activities in a boarding school setting.
The Immersion programs that include a home stay are for teenagers who are typically independent and willing to go outside their comfort zones to really experience immersion. These programs are very careful to find good families for the children to live with. Sometimes a child is in a host home by himself with his host family and other times with a friend from the program. Often these children learn the most during their summers.
To figure out which language program is the right fit for your child, you should discuss it with a camp advisor from Tips on Trips and Camps who can help you compare the various summer programs and answer questions about the differences between them.
Finished With Camp? The Next Step.
When both camper and parent realize that the camp experience is no longer challenging, the question is what’s next and what is it’s value?
There are quite a few options to explore: academic studies on a college campus, teen tours, wilderness adventures, sailing, language immersion, internships and more. Although different in purpose and content, all the experiences share some common characteristics exploring different levels of independence and challenging a child’s decision-making skills.
Your child now becomes part of the decision-making process when taking part in group decisions – it may not go their way.
They have an opportunity to make personal choices – do I go here or there, do this or that, or do I go with my friends.
Keeping track of personal belongings, especially if they are traveling, is a challenge. No one is picking up after them.
Learning the tricks of doing laundry is eye opening. For many, this is the first time they may realize that clothes don’t come out of the machine folded!
Keeping a budget for the duration of the trip often initiates the question, “ Do I really need that? Will I have money left for……”
Confronting social dilemmas if they arise, and deciding on behavioral choices that may or may not be popular is a huge challenge. The social decision making component is often a life changer. Sometimes mistakes are made and consequences follow. In other situations, teens learn about themselves and their convictions carving out their personality and molding their values.
Whatever the experience, whether glitz and glam or rugged to the bone, all situations offer the opportunity for your child to take on responsibility and challenge their decision making skills….. all while having a great time!
