By Morgane Toullec - Immersion CEO

Comprehensible Input (CI)

In his 1985 work, The Input Hypothesis: Issues and Implications, linguist Dr. Stephen Krashen introduced the concept of Comprehensible Input (CI)—the idea that language is best acquired by understanding meaningful and engaging content. Forget grammar drills and rote memorization; Comprehensible Input focuses on creating low-stress environments with rich, contextual exposure.

Steven Krashen's studies on comprehensible input revolutionized the field of language acquisition by emphasizing the importance of understanding messages in a target language as the cornerstone of learning. His results consistently showed that learners acquire language most effectively when exposed to input that is slightly beyond their current proficiency level, often referred to as "i+1." This finding contradicted traditional methods focusing on explicit grammar instruction and rote memorization. Instead, Krashen's research demonstrated that meaningful and context-rich exposure leads to natural language development, paralleling the way children acquire their first language.

The Evidence

Studies consistently show that comprehensible input produces faster and more effective results:

1. A 2023 study by Beniko Mason and Nobuyoshi Ae found that 70 hours of comprehensible input were equivalent to 286 hours of traditional instruction in terms of language proficiency gains.
   
   

2. Additionally, TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling), a CI-based approach, has been shown to outperform traditional methods in vocabulary and grammar acquisition, as well as in the development of reading and speaking skills.
   
   

3. 5.4x more learning per hour: A 2002 CALA/DCS study revealed impressive results after just 22.5 hours of Spanish lessons. Participants scored 1.08 points per hour of instruction on a national exam, compared to 0.20 points per hour for high school students after 180 hours.
   
   

4. Students exposed to one hour of comprehensible input daily for six months consistently outperformed peers in traditional programs lasting two years. (Krashen, 2017)
   
   

5. According to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), students using CI improve their language proficiency up to 30% faster than those in traditional methods.
   
   

6. A study on dual-language immersion programs shows that students achieved remarkable results compared to their peers in traditional education:
   
   

   • By 5th grade, immersion students are reading 7 months ahead of their peers, and by 8th grade, they are a full 9 months ahead—progressing nearly 90% faster!

   • Immersion students are also significantly more likely to reach English proficiency by 6th grade, with a success rate of 70%-80%, compared to just 50% for non-immersion students.

   
   

The Global Picture

Why Traditional Language Learning Fails

Have you ever spent years studying a language in school only to realize you can barely hold a conversation? You're not alone. Across the globe, traditional methods of language teaching often leave students with limited real-world proficiency.

I know this because I’ve been on both sides: a frustrated language learner and a teacher trying to make a difference. My journey with language learning began when I was just a child, and it shaped the way I teach today.

In the United States, only 20% of K-12 students enroll in foreign language courses and even a smaller fraction graduate with fluency. Research shows that after four years of study, many students can only manage basic tasks like introductions. (Source: ACTFL Data)

In Europe, where 87% of students learn at least one foreign language, only 42% of adults can converse in it later in life. (Source: Eurostat)

So, what’s going wrong? The problem lies in how languages are taught:

• Heavy focus on grammar and memorization: Classes emphasize rules and vocabulary lists instead of meaningful communication.

• Lack of contextual learning: Languages are taught without real-world practice, making it hard to connect theory to use.

Countries like Japan and South Korea exemplify this. Despite years of language study, they score low on global proficiency rankings due to grammar-heavy instruction. (Source: EF English Proficiency Index)

The Immersion Advantage : Learn Smarter, Not Harder

Did you know the Pareto Principle, or the 80/20 rule, applies to language learning? This principle, coined by economist Vilfredo Pareto, states that roughly 80% of outcomes come from 20% of efforts. In other words, focusing on the right things yields the biggest results.

When applied to language learning, the data is striking:

• Just 1,500 words cover 85% of everyday written texts.

• A mere 100 common words make up 50% of spoken conversations. (Source: Français Fondamental Project)

However, studies also show that you need to hear a word around 40 times in context in order to commit to long term memory.

What does this mean for you? Instead of drowning in endless vocabulary lists and obscure grammar rules, focus on the critical 20%—the core words and phrases that unlock real communication. Our Starter Level is specifically designed to help you achieve this critical 20% with significant repetition. Once you've mastered the basics, the rest will feel easier, more natural, and fluid—bringing you closer to fluency with less effort.

How Immersion Reinvents Language Learning

At Immersion, we’ve designed a platform that brings the benefits of comprehensible input directly to your home. Our goal? To replicate the transformative experience of living abroad, from home.

Our approach is built on four pillars:

1. Comprehensible Input Videos

Watch curated content designed to match your skill level—understanding 80-85% while picking up new words naturally. With over 40 hours of content and five new videos added weekly, you'll never run out of material.
How to watch? Focus on understanding the overall meaning, not memorizing words or analyzing grammar. Let yourself enjoy the content, and trust the natural process of language acquisition.

2. AI Tutor Louis

Meet Louis, your tireless AI tutor. He speaks French, tracks your progress, and tailors interactions based on the vocabulary you’ve encountered.

Begin with crosstalk: You speak in English while Louis responds in French, maximizing your exposure without the pressure of speaking too early.

When you reach the intermediate level, transition to speaking French—Louis will encourage you without judgment.

3. Reading for Deeper Learning

Reading is a cornerstone of language acquisition. It reinforces vocabulary, improves spelling, and exposes you to structures not often heard in conversation. But reading too early can hurt your pronunciation because you "sound out" words incorrectly in your head.

Our solution: Watch videos first to build a strong mental image of how French sounds. Coming soon, a new feature on the platform will allow you to unlock beginner-friendly texts that include images for context.

During private lessons, your teacher will guide you in reading aloud, helping you master pronunciation and boost confidence.

4. Private Lessons with Native Teachers

Our expert teachers are native French speakers with advanced training (Masters in Education + teaching certification). Each 60-minute lesson includes:

• 15 minutes of live comprehensible input

• 15 minutes of guided reading

• 15 minutes of crosstalk

• 15 minutes of full French conversation

Lessons are tailored to your needs, focusing on topics like dining out, movies, or daily routines. By the end, you'll have a solid hour of immersive French listening and interaction.

My Own Journey With Immersion

Growing up in Normandy, France, my love for language was born in a surprising place—Irish dance camps. Thanks to my dad’s passion for Celtic culture, I spent summers in Ireland, immersed in the music, dance, and language.

Imagine this: a seven-year-old surrounded by Irish families, teachers, and friends speaking English, but no translators or textbooks to fall back on. I learned through gestures, body language, and pure survival. At first, it was overwhelming. Each summer, though, I understood more until the language started to click.

By high school, I spoke English better than most of my classmates. The secret? I had experienced the language.

As I began teaching French alongside my studies, I saw the same struggles in my students. Traditional methods—endless grammar drills, translation exercises, and textbook-heavy lessons—left them frustrated and uninspired. Many could recite rules perfectly on paper but froze when it came time to speak. It was clear that something was missing: real-world exposure and confidence.

This realization only grew stronger when I joined a French immersion program at a U.S. middle school. I witnessed firsthand how students—some as young as 12—spoke French fluently, switching between languages as naturally as flipping a light switch. Their secret? They weren’t “studying” French; they were living it. In every subject, from history to math, French was the medium—not the goal. These kids were absorbing the language effortlessly because they were constantly surrounded by meaningful, contextual input.

Later, through the Fulbright Scholarship, I had the opportunity to teach French to American university students. This time, I decided to apply what I knew worked best: full immersion. From day one, I spoke only French to my students, regardless of their level. Even complete beginners were immersed in a flood of gestures, simple phrases, and real-world scenarios. At first, there were puzzled faces and nervous laughter, but over time, something magical happened: They started to understand.

Students motivated to pass my course started responding in basic sentences, asking questions naturally, and eventually holding basic conversations. No drills. No memorized scripts. Just consistent, comprehensible input tailored to their level.

By the end of the semester, these students had achieved far more than their peers in traditional language programs—many of whom had studied for years but struggled to string together coherent sentences. Immersion worked.

In every environment—whether coaching middle schoolers, university beginners, or Fulbright scholars—I saw the same result: when you experience a language, you learn it.

This realization became my driving force: to create a solution that allows anyone to experience this magic of immersion, no matter where they are.

Experience The Immersion Advantage

Learning French doesn’t have to be a frustrating, years-long journey. With Immersion, you’ll build fluency through engaging, meaningful content and personalized practice. Whether it’s through our videos, AI tutors, or lessons with native speakers, we’re here to help you unlock your potential in the most effective way possible.

Ready to start your journey? Let’s make learning French an adventure, not a chore.