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The LEX Philosophy“Language is not taught; it is acquired.”
That is the fundamental tenet upon which LEX America is built. From birth, human beings naturally possess the ability to acquire language, and we do so not only during our early years, but for our entire lives. We continue to learn new words and phrases from the world around us in the same way that babies and young children pick up their native language from home or school. Learning a second, a third, or even a seventh language is possible for anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, etc. – we just need to channel our inner baby! |
Natural Learning Environment |
Children acquire their first language (or languages) by listening to and mimicking the sounds they hear around them, and through human interactions. Barring special circumstances, any infant can acquire the language (or languages) spoken around her by the age of two or three. Adults who are exposed to new languages in a similar way will go through the same natural process.
LEX creates a natural, relaxed learning environment in which children and adults are exposed to, and interact with the sounds of other languages. |
Whole to the Parts |
LEX describes the natural process of language development as “from the whole to the parts.” Babies begin by babbling, mimicking a broad approximation of the sounds around them, the "big waves." Later, they begin to speak, but may only pronounce some parts of phrases while “babbling” through the rest. They are speaking the rhythm and melody of the “whole” language. Eventually, they become more and more precise in making sounds, clearly speaking the “parts,” or "small waves," (the individual phonemes and words) until they are complete speakers. Even as they become mature speakers, they are always making new language discoveries in their native language.
Science now shows what multilingual people from India and Africa have known all along - adults go through this same process when in a natural immersion environment. 
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Multilingual Brain |
The brain is not a container, which becomes too full and cannot hold additional languages, but a network of neural paths that is strengthened by the addition of new paths. The more languages we acquire, the easier it becomes.
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Social Connection |
Language is, at its core, social. We learn language best when we listen to others speak and use it to communicate with other human beings.
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Science and Nature |
At heart, our programs are fun, positive, and natural - in accordance with the way we learn our first language or languages. Our programs are also backed up by science.
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The LEX program, in my opinion, represents the perfect embodiment of what we know to be true of language and learning. LEX incorporates all the things I have learned are important through my research. What you have in LEX is the perfect example of the kind of program that I would put together if I were designing one myself. It's just extraordinary! |
Benefits |
Together with opportunities to host and travel, and educational materials, the LEX community provides a place for self-directed learning and development. Adults and children alike develop greater flexibility, adaptability, empathy, cognitive skills, imagination, and leadership skills, while making friends locally and around the world, and acquiring multiple languages.
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