OG Immersion & Comprehensible Input
Why traditional methods fail and what really works.
Good old immersion.
The same way you, I, and everyone else learned our native language.
Somehow, the most natural and effective way to learn a language ended up being ignored — even though we've all experienced it ourselves. Instead, traditional language education took a very different path… and the results speak for themselves.
The Problem
Traditional language learning doesn`t work very well.
How is it possible that millions of children and teenagers learn English for anywhere between 4–8 years during primary and secondary education and then leave school still not being able to hold a conversation with a stranger?
It goes like this:
A young student will spend years at school completing "fill in the blank" grammar exercises, studying lists of vocabulary and completing units in a textbook. They take an English exam and may even get a good score!
Then, they leave school. A foreigner approaches them on the street and asks, "Excuse me, do you have any idea where I can find the nearest post office?"
The young students stand there stunned. They try to speak and give an answer, but their brain is still trying to process what this stranger has asked them.
"Uh…sorry. No English sorry"
No English? What about the 6 years of English classes at school?! What was all that time spent studying English from a textbook for if this young student can't answer a basic question about the nearest post office?
Why Traditional Methods Fail
Something is clearly wrong here.
Now, not everybody leaves school still not being able to use English properly, but many do.
The reason traditional language learning is so bad is because they have to create meaningless tests in order to give students a score.
School teachers are incredibly busy and aren't able to take the time to give each student in the class a full speaking test and give them a score on their true level of listening comprehension.
It's far easier and far less time-consuming to give students a test where the questions have a "right" answer and a "wrong" answer.
"Fill in the blank" grammar exercises, "multiple choice" questions and other meaningless tests like these have absolutely nothing to do with true language acquisition.
These tests allow teachers to quickly and easily give a student a mark out of 10 for their test, but this is not how a language is learned.
Here at Dreaming English, we don't have the same limitations that exist inside the school education system.
With our method, you will learn English in an effective way, and in a way that will be enjoyable for you!
Learning English shouldn't be a painful and boring process. And it really doesn't need to be. Let us explain to you the comprehensible input method used here at Dreaming English.
Comprehensible Input: The Key to Learning Naturally
The concept of Comprehensible Input is fundamental for understanding how we acquire languages. Introduced by Dr. Stephen Krashen as part of his Input Hypothesis, this idea has been supported by decades of research. It shows that receiving comprehensible input is not only necessary for learning a language, but also sufficient—and often faster and more effective than traditional study methods.
What Is Comprehensible Input?
We receive comprehensible input when we understand messages through listening or reading (or watching in the case of sign languages). This is what "input" means—listening and reading only. Speaking, writing, or doing exercises is considered "output," not input.
The "comprehensible" part means that the content is understandable enough to make sense of the message, even if you don't know every word or grammar rule. By understanding the general idea, your brain can naturally figure out the rest from context.
When you receive comprehensible input, your brain is ready to acquire language naturally, without needing to study vocabulary lists, memorize grammar, or practice endlessly. Simply listening or reading is enough. Research also shows that this ability to acquire language remains active even in adults, and we can greatly benefit from imitating the way children learn their first language.
How Language Acquisition Works in the Brain
Dr. J. Marvin Brown expanded Krashen's ideas into a practical classroom method called ALG (Automatic Language Growth) in the 1980s. This framework explains why some people have stronger accents, the benefits of delaying speech, and why relying on explicit learning (like grammar drills) can be less effective. It even helps explain how creole languages form.
According to this framework, language acquisition happens through connections in the brain:
- When you understand a concept and hear the corresponding word, your brain forms a connection
- Over time, these connections link similar words and patterns
- You internalize grammar and sentence structures naturally
- You develop fluency and produce language intuitively
The Wrong Approach:
If instead you focus on translations, grammar study, or early forced speech, your brain forms different connections—ones that don't match native speakers' patterns. This can make language learning slower and less natural.
Why Comprehensible Input Is Different
Our method, based on Kraken's theory, focuses entirely on listening and reading at the right level for you.
Input is anything you listen to or read
Grammar exercises, writing, or speaking are output, not input.
Comprehensible means you understand the general idea
You don't need to understand every word or grammar rule.
Content must match your level
Beginners should stick to beginner content; intermediate learners to intermediate content. If you can't follow the story, conversation, or video, it's too difficult and not "comprehensible" yet.
When you listen to or watch comprehensible input, your brain naturally acquires new vocabulary and grammar within context. This learning is deeper and more permanent than memorizing abstract lists or rules.
Learning Like a Child
Think back to when you were a baby: for the first year of life, you just listened to your native language. You didn't take notes, do exercises, or complete comprehension questions—but you learned a lot! Our method at Dreaming English mimics this process for adults.
You don't need to take notes
You don't need comprehension exercises
You don't need to understand everything
Just watching and listening is enough
This approach is proven to work. Thousands of students have successfully used Comprehensible Input methods to learn languages on websites like DreamingSpanish.com. Dreaming English brings this method to English learners, helping adults achieve natural, fluent language skills without the frustration of traditional study methods.
How to UseOur Videos
We said this earlier, but it bears repeating. Watching the videos is by itself what results in acquiring the language. Not doing comprehension tests. Not reviewing vocabulary. Not doing other activities related to the content. Any of these activities that don’t provide you with comprehensible input will not result in acquisition.
Watching our videos is the core activity that leads to language acquisition. You don't need to do comprehension tests, review vocabulary, or complete other exercises. These activities don't provide comprehensible input, and only comprehensible input results in true language acquisition.
For the first several hundred hours of exposure to English, watching is all you need. At higher levels, listening to audio and reading can also be helpful, but watching videos remains the main driver of learning. If you prefer direct interaction with speakers, methods like Crosstalk can complement your learning.
Focus on Enjoyment, Not Analysis
When you watch, your focus should be on enjoying the videos. You do need to pay attention—listening in the background or while sleeping won't work—but your attention should not be on analyzing grammar, memorizing words, or thinking about pronunciation.
The input needs to be comprehensible: you should understand enough to follow the story and stay engaged. At the beginning, you won't know most of the words—and that's okay.
Pictures, drawings, and visual cues help you connect meaning to vocabulary naturally. Early videos are designed to teach nouns for concrete objects (house, dog, river…) and common verbs (walk, talk, see…) without requiring knowledge of every word.
Even at higher levels, you don't need to understand every word. Your brain will acquire what you're ready to learn, while other words—like function words—will become clear over time as you hear them repeatedly.
Choose the Right Level
Because context is so important for understanding, most learners benefit from watching slightly easier content than they think they need.
Important:
If you're losing track of the story, the video is too difficult. Challenging yourself with harder content before you're ready can slow down progress.
Do's and Don'ts While Watching
Do's
- •Pay attention to the video
- •Enjoy the story and visuals
- •Use subtitles if needed
- •Translate occasionally if needed
Don'ts
- •Don't try to memorize words
- •Don't focus on grammar consciously
- •Don't overthink pronunciation
- •Don't translate every word
By following these principles, your brain will naturally acquire English through comprehensible input
The combination of engaging stories, visual cues, and appropriate difficulty makes our videos a powerful tool for learning without stress or conscious study.