We hear the term language immersion all the time—it’s a favourite among learners and teachers alike. But what does it actually mean to be immersed in a language?

After trip to Poland a couple of years a go, I reflected on this. Do I need to be in Poland to immerse myself in Polish? Do I need a network of native speakers? My conclusion: immersion is not defined by location. It’s about connection and consistency—and you can create that anywhere.

Travel ≠ Immersion

People often assume that going to a country where the language is spoken will automatically lead to fluency. This is not true. Sure, you’re surrounded by the language. However, you’re not necessarily interacting with it. People can live in another country for years without learning the language.

When I was in Poland, I was surrounded by Polish. However, since I was traveling with my wife, we mostly spoke English. In other words, despite being in Poland, I wasn’t fully immersed in the Polish language. In fact, most of my interactions were in English. Just being in the environment isn’t enough—you need to participate in the language.

Immersion Without Travel

Immersion can happen anywhere. I didn’t wait until landing in Kraków to immerse myself in Polish. Before my trip, I spent two months reading and listening to the language. I used podcasts, online reading, sessions with tutors, etc. to build a routine of daily exposure to Polish. This constant exposure helped me develop a base of familiarity with the language before even setting foot in the country.

Immersion isn’t limited to travel. It’s created through habits: reading before bed, listening to music during your commute, and watching shows in your target language. These moments, stacked together, create momentum. Sure, the immersion isn’t as all-encompassing as it could be. Regardless, it builds a foundation and boosts my familiarity with the language.

Speaking vs. Engagement

We often equate immersion with speaking. But fluency doesn’t come from rehearsed interactions—ordering coffee, asking for directions, or booking tickets. Those are useful, but they don’t build deep skills.

Immersion occurs when you’re engaging with the language. You’re not reciting memorized short phrases or repeating the same, predictable encounters. Engagement occurs when forming connections with other speakers, expanding your cultural knowledge, or learning more about where your target language is spoken.

When I arrived in Kraków, I participated in an interview in Polish with Easy Polish. Was my speaking smooth and error-free? No. I felt the pressure. My Polish wasn’t perfect—I made plenty of mistakes—but this experience was valuable because I was communicating. I was engaged.

Even if you’re making mistakes, even if it’s difficult, engagement pushes your skills forward. You don’t have to be in the country to make this happen. Given the technology and resources available nowadays, you’re able to build your appreciation for the language and interact with speakers from anywhere.

Listening and Reading: Passive Immersion

Listening and reading to your target language is never a bad idea. It’s a guaranteed way to immerse your brain in the target language. While in Poland, I picked up several books—something I always do. One memorable gift was from an American living in Gdańsk, who gave me a book about Polish life before WWII, along with a handwritten note thanking me for inspiring his language journey.

I’m normally interested in historical topics, and it’s rewarding to immerse myself in the language through subjects of interest. I’ve been reading Polish history—both in paper books and digital editions I imported into LingQ. I alternate between online reading and paper, which creates different kinds of experiences with the language. This is a form of immersion.

Reading entire books, especially your first full book in a new language, is a milestone. It builds comprehension, strengthens vocabulary, and deepens your connection to the language. These passive activities prepare you for the active use of the language later.

Final Thoughts

I’m continuing my Polish immersion at home—reading history, studying vocabulary on LingQ, and preparing for another conversation in a few weeks. I already feel like I’d do better now than I did in Kraków, and that’s encouraging.

Immersion isn’t all or nothing. It’s not just speaking. It’s listening, reading, writing, learning about the culture, the history, the people. Immersion can be having coffee on a square in Kraków, but it can also be browsing a local bookstore and reading about the country’s past. Immersion can vary day by day.

That’s why I believe the definition of immersion should be much broader. You don’t have to wait until you’re in-country to start immersing yourself. In fact, the more you do before you go, the more you’ll benefit when you finally arrive.

Immersion isn’t one thing—it’s everything. It’s the slow build, the constant exposure, and the moments of real connection. And it’s always worth it.