The New inlingua Method

Julia Silvère — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 13:20:47 +0000

Reimagined for Real-World Communication

For over five decades, the inlingua method has been at the heart of our language training — focused, direct, and above all, communicative. Now, we are proud to introduce the rewritten inlingua method, a fresh, research-informed, practice-oriented take that preserves our legacy while evolving to meet the demands of today’s learners. This new method will be launched together with our NextGeneration materials, a suite of resources designed to bring the new approach to life with engaging, real-world content.

A Modern Take on a Time-Tested Approach

Language learning isn’t just about acquiring vocabulary by repetition of words and phrases. It’s about meaningful communication—being able to connect, collaborate, and express yourself with confidence. The redesigned inlingua method focuses on this principle through a five-phase structure that guides learners from discovery of language to deep integration.

We call this structure DICES – an acronym that stands for Discover – Interact – Communicate – Evaluate – Solidify. The word dices also bears its own meaning: in Latin, it means “you will speak” – which is exactly what we want our learners to do from their very first lesson.

Let’s take a closer look at each phase:

Discover

Learning begins with relevance. In this phase, learners are introduced to key vocabulary and grammar in a way that’s both digestible and anchored in authentic use. By grounding new content in real-life situations, we reduce cognitive load (Sweller, 1988) and support long-term retention.

Interact

Learners actively engage with the language across all skills—speaking, listening, reading, writing, and mediation. The focus is on building fluency through accuracy with repeating communicative practice that reflects how language is actually used.

The activities in this phase are designed to support varying levels of proficiency, enabling differentiation, encouraging risk-taking and reducing the fear of “getting it wrong”—a key factor in learner motivation (Dörnyei, 2009).

Communicate

This is where things get real. Learners move beyond controlled practice into activities designed to promote authentic interaction. Whether it’s role-plays, collaborative tasks, or information-gap activities, the goal is the same: develop spontaneous, confident communication in personally relevant contexts.

Evaluate

Feedback and reflection are built into the learning journey. Regular self-checks and formative assessments help learners monitor their progress and identify areas for improvement. Trainers are also equipped with tools to offer targeted, constructive feedback, promoting a growth mindset and continuous development.

Solidify

This final phase is where consolidation happens. Through game-based repetition and a collaborative project, learners reinforce what they have learnt in a fun, low-stress environment. aligning with task-based learning principles, where “learning emerges from the use of language in meaningful tasks” (Ellis, 2003).

Why This Matters

In short, the new inlingua method combines the best of our pedagogical tradition with modern learning science. It’s designed not only to help learners know the language—but to use it, with confidence and clarity, in the moments that matter most to them.

By bringing together the new method, the NextGeneration materials, and powerful digital learning ecosystem with integrated AI learning features, inlingua is setting a new standard in personalised, effective language training.

We’d love to hear your thoughts. How do you see these changes aligning with your own teaching experience or expectations?

Let’s start a conversation in the comments.

Sources:

Cognitive load during problem solving: Effects on learning – ScienceDirect

https://archive.org/details/taskbasedlanguag0000elli/mode/2up

(PDF) [Zoltan_Dörnyei]_Motivational_Strategies_in_the_L.pdf

Der Beitrag The New inlingua Method erschien zuerst auf inlingua.

meaningful communication Archive – inlingua