Delicious English’s language-learning methodology is based on “learning by doing,” or learning through action—communicating with others and performing tasks to reach a shared goal, whether it’s cooking a dish or sharing an opinion on a particularly unique craft beer.
This learning method is something I’ve thought a lot about, and it forms the foundation of my classes and sessions. In this post, I’ll share my personal experience with language learning and how it has shaped the services offered by Delicious English.
Over the years, many people have asked me how I learned Spanish and Catalan, and this recurring question has made me reflect on my own learning process. What did I do to learn? What did I do well? What could I have done better? One thing I’m certain of is that my path to language proficiency may not have been the most conventional.
I arrived here with very limited vocabulary—just enough to ask for a room and something to eat. But I was clear that I wanted to try living in Spain, which meant I had to get serious about learning the local language. And so, my “learning by doing” journey began. Things might have gone faster if I’d known a bit of Catalan or Spanish, but unfortunately, it wasn’t easy for an introverted Brit fresh out of university who barely managed small talk in his own language.
So, I started simply: ordering croissants at the bakery, cheering on the local soccer team, and making new friends. Those first months were exciting and exhausting. I remember listening intently, trying to decipher what was being said. The speed, unfamiliar sounds, and staccato rhythm made it a real challenge.
Then, slowly, things began to change. Strange words and snippets of conversation started to become familiar. I could say short phrases, knew the main swear words, and with this basic knowledge, I gained some confidence that allowed me to get involved in local events and activities. In this way, my learning-by-doing process took off while I was doing things I enjoyed.
I don’t remember the moment I spoke in my second language without realizing it; it must have been months (likely years) after I arrived. But I do remember reaching a point where I had a basic, useful grasp of my new language, and the challenge was to practice it as much as possible to keep learning.
I realized that language learning is a journey with no end. Even now, I occasionally come across unfamiliar words. What I have learned is that a language can be absorbed naturally when you’re involved in everyday activities like cooking or eating. That’s how, after some thought, the idea of creating cooking sessions where students could practice and improve their English became very clear.
And so, Delicious English was born—learn English through cooking. Interactive sessions where you don’t just cook; you learn the stories behind the recipes, ingredients, and dishes. Using only English, you listen to instructions, talk with the instructor and other students, ask questions, and most importantly, you learn. Maybe it’s the tricky pronunciation of a word (recipe, vegetable…), expanding your vocabulary, or just revisiting a grammatical structure you learned 20 years ago but haven’t dared to use since.
I like to think of Delicious English as a blend of simple, effective ideas and as a great example of learning by doing. There are plenty of academic articles if you’d like to dive deeper into the subject (for example, Dewey), but if you want to improve your English in a unique, new, and fun way, come try one of our sessions and learn through cooking.
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