The nature, implementation and potential of short term overseas English language immersion

This paper draws on the rich experience of the Hong Kong Institute of Education and its predecessor College of Education system in designing, managing and evaluating large-scale, short-term overseas language immersion programmes for pre-service and in-service teachers. An overview is provided of the typical problems experienced by staff and students in the course of providing, participating in and monitoring the success of such programmes, of possible solutions to problems observed and of the type and range of gains which may realistically be expected of participants. In so doing, reference is made to programmes operating at sub- and post-graduate levels, to contexts of operation ranging across three continents and to changing circumstances both in Hong Kong and world-wide which may impact on aspects of overseas immersion. Finally, recommendations for good practice are offered, based on hard and soft data acquired during extensive formal and informal evaluation and management of short-term overseas English language immersion programmes. The paper is of interest to current or potential funding authorities and providers, managers and co-ordinators of such programmes, to past and future participants and to academics exploring constructive links between language and culture.