the Village News

It's one of the phrases parents repeat the most: “My child understands English, but when they have to speak, they freeze up”. They recognise words, follow instructions, even get good grades, but as soon as they have to express themselves, they go quiet or answer in monosyllables.

This behaviour is not unusual and does not indicate a lack of ability. In fact, it is much more common than it seems and has a clear explanation. Understanding a language and daring to use it are different processes, and one does not automatically guarantee the other.

Over the last few years, the term “language immersion” has become one of the most commonly used — and most confusing — expressions in the field of education and summer camps. Virtually any programme that includes activities in English is presented as an immersion experience, even though in practice the results can be very different.

For many parents, this creates a legitimate doubt:
How can you tell if a programme offers real immersion or simply activities in English?

When a family starts looking for summer camps, they often encounter a very common feeling: everything seems the same. The websites promise fun, learning and unforgettable experiences, but few clearly explain what kind of experience the child or teenager will actually have.

At The Village, we see this time and time again. Families who do not hesitate because there are not enough options, but because they do not know how to compare them. And that's normal. Choosing a camp is not just about choosing an activity for the summer; it's about deciding what kind of experience you want your child to have for several weeks.

Choosing an English camp in 2026 is no longer just about deciding where your child will spend a few weeks during the summer. More and more families are looking for experiences that truly add value: real language learning, personal development and an environment where their children feel safe, supported and motivated.

When a child or teenager returns excited from an English camp, many parents ask themselves the same question: are they really learning or are they just having fun?. The confusion is normal, especially if there is no previous experience with immersion programmes.

Enjoying the experience is positive and necessary, but it is not always synonymous with real learning. In this article, we analyse how to differentiate initial enthusiasm — typical of any new experience — from genuine and sustainable linguistic progress.

When parents assess an English camp for the first time, they often focus on the activities, the facilities or the programme. However, one of the factors that most influences whether learning is real or superficial is less visible: the role played by adults and coaches in the child's daily life.

Understanding how they support, correct, motivate and structure day-to-day life from the very first day is key to knowing whether a camp goes beyond entertainment and builds a truly immersive experience.

If it's your child's first time attending an English camp, the first few days may raise some doubts: "Are they really learning or just having fun?" The good news is that, without waiting for the end of the camp, there are early signs that help you detect whether the experience is building real and sustainable learning.

The arrival of Christmas always marks a moment of pause. A time to close the year, slow down and look at everything experienced over the last few months with a little more perspective, both on a personal and family level.