Want to learn a new language? Try to observe a school-going, 5-year-old child born and brought up in Bangalore, of mixed parentage, say a Bengali and a Malayalee. The little girl can speak Bengali and Malayalam, Kannada (environment), English and Hindi (cosmopolitan city) and Tamil (from school bus drivers). No less than 250 words and many sentences in each language. What is the secret of the child’s profligacy? Is it divine intervention or rare talent? Instinctive learning is the secret.

Hear-repeat, hear-repeat is the mantra, much to the chagrin of the mother. Instinctive learning isn’t afraid of mistakes. But as we grow older, logical learning sets in and grammar takes precedence to construct sentences. Why? Sadly, it’s due to paucity of time and fear of committing mistakes.

IFLAC offers the right balance between instinctive and logical approaches to mastering a foreign language aided by qualified and passionate teachers. We encourage you to make mistakes and learn from them. Play games, listen to music, have conversations, explore new cultures and make new friends.

My dream is to relax by the sea-shore with Milan Kundera in one hand and a mug of beer in the other hand. Reality is that I have been a German language teacher for the past six years, post retirement from the services of a Bank: and I enjoy my reality.