"A person who has failed to acquire minimal proficiency in at least one foreign language has missed an experience which is essential to understand the world he lives in." (Grittner, 1969)

Watch the EduKick Soccer News See the EduKick Media Center Read a recent EduKick Soccer Schools Press Release Listen to a recent EduKick Soccer Podcast Interview Visit the EduKick Blog Page - updates on EduKick/post comments Review the EduKick Articles Page - Soccer, Education & Teen Issues EduKick fully agrees with this statement by Frank Grittner summarizing the basic reason behind learning other languages. If we want our young people to mature into well-rounded and responsible adults, it is important that they be given opportunities to broaden their horizons, to learn about their nation and to explore other languages and cultures. EduKick's international academic year Long soccer boarding schools and language immersion summer soccer camps offer teenagers an invaluable cultural, linguistic, travel, and football/soccer development experience.

What is Intercultural Competence (ICC)? - Intercultural Competence describes a measurable skill to navigate and operate effectively within a variety of international settings. Specific skills include the ability to evaluate, identify and adapt to different cultural traits, awareness of our own cultural perspectives and personal biases and appropriate communication in different cross-cultural situations. ICC theory and concepts are designed to build students' personal, academic and professional skills for those seeking to become more effective intercultural leaders in our increasingly interconnected society. ICC applications and implications are essential for students who are moving towards shaping their own cultural-identity and world views. Learning a second language should have an instant appeal, and acquiring new communication skills should be both an enjoyable and challenging experience. However, as with all courses that improve and expand human understanding, nothing can be achieved without considerable effort. At EduKick, we understand that undertaking to learn a second language should be a delightful voyage full of expressions and ideas, a voyage where one should be glad to slowly savor the trip. With this in mind, we attempt to create a nurturing and comfortable classroom atmosphere where participating EduKick youth can feel free to expand their language speaking abilities. Learning a second language promotes the ability to listen critically, to analyze, to reconstruct and to apply acquired knowledge to new situations, thus enhancing the development of problem-solving skills.

When properly taught, it is the most effective medium by which one can acquire sensitivity to language. This in turn leads to an appreciation of the unique richness and unique limitations of one's own language. Once a second language is learned, other languages are more accessible and more easily mastered. EduKick appreciates that growing global interdependence is a reality which cannot be overlooked. With widespread mobility, knowledge of more than one language is becoming increasingly valuable: students, tourists, technicians, business people, civil servants, diplomats, athletes - people from all walks of life - are traveling more frequently. In our program, EduKick youth gain invaluable experience in international travel, a major prerequisite for eventual second language acquisition.

In learning another language, we enable ourselves to consider critically the ideas as well as the cultural similarities and differences of the world. This can be a positive force in creating wholesome attitudes towards the people represented by that language, and can broaden our understanding of people and the world. EduKick youth gain a deeper understanding of the world we live in by the exposure to foreign culture and by meeting and interrelating with the foreign youth during our camps. The EduKick Language Curriculum: The EduKick language immersion program is an interactive method of teaching based on conversational and situational learning. EduKick emphasizes pragmatic competence; the curriculum teaches students the skills necessary to communicate in the chosen foreign language with some attention to grammar, reading, listening, and writing.

To provide the best language immersion environment possible, EduKick requires students to speak in their foreign language whenever possible throughout the entire program. Soccer training sessions, language classes, cultural excursions, and youth socials are all conducted in the foreign language (with translation for clarity). In this way, EduKick youth maximize their language immersion experience at our camps. Living, playing, and eating with fellow EduKick campers, EduKick teachers and staff enforce this idea of total language immersion with some degree of seriousness. Students find that they excel in this language immersion environment and are rewarded at the end of the camp with increased proficiency and confidence in their chosen language.

Natalie D'Souza, B.Ed., M.A. is EduKick's Director of Languages and oversees the language curriculum in each participating country. Ms. D'Souza possesses a Master's Degree in Spanish Literature (UC Santa Barbara, 1998), a B.A. in French and Spanish and also a teaching certificate in French and Spanish. Ms. D'Souza is a 15 year veteran Spanish teacher at Appleby College in Ontario, Canada. For additional information regarding EduKick's language immersion program in any of our host countries, please contact Ms. D'Souza directly.

EduKick Language Instructors:
EduKick uses only experienced and accredited native instructors from our affiliated licensed language academies around the world. All instructors are first interviewed and then prepped and supported in the EduKick language curriculum by the Director of Languages at our headquarters.

EduKick Language Classes: Prior to departure, EduKick conducts a general assessment of the youth's competency level in the chosen language via written registration forms and personal telephone interviews. Then, on the first day of language class, youth are administered a standardized "Language Level Test" which is used for the subsequent dividing of the classes.

The lessons in the EduKick classes are lively and varied. With an emphasis on conversation and situational learning, at Edukick, we believe that the language lessons must be fun, interactive, and conducted in a safe, comfortable, and nurturing atmosphere.

In the classes, we make use of video and other audio-visual materials. To ensure that the lessons are as practical as possible, we work with local newspapers, teach youth how to conduct a telephone conversation, provide some regional and national cultural information, learn popular songs, study restaurant menus, etc.

Three (3) Language Levels Offered at EduKick Summer Camps:

Beginner/Elementary: The majority of EduKick youth fall into this category. In the "Beginner" class we start from the "beginning" and assume that the youth has little or no communicative ability.

Intermediate: At this level, the youth possess some communicative ability. Youth should have had at least two (2) years of formal instruction in school and be able to communicate to some extent with relative ease.

Advanced: An EduKick youth at the advanced level would have at least three (3) years of formal instruction, possess the ability to communicate extremely well with people who are native speakers, and have a good working knowledge of all the tenses. At this level the youth will refine pronunciation and intonation, and increase vocabulary.

EduKick Soccer Boarding Schools are now available:

Click here to see the Boarding School options

Please contact us for more information - jb@edukick.com

Balanced Mind and Body Training Develops Excellence in Today’s Youth

Most parents believe that self-esteem is directly related to success in life. Yet, it is one advantage they can’t directly give their children. Self-esteem is gained through personal accomplishment and the expanding confidence of children as they take on more responsibility.

However, parents can give their children experiences and education that encourage achievement and independence. A combination of activities that challenge a child’s mind and body are a perfect way to help children grow into confident, well rounded adults.

The benefits of participating in youth sports

Research indicates that participation in sports often promotes healthy development in kids and teens. According to a study done by the American Sport Education Program, athletic training builds an appreciation of personal health and fitness in young people. They also found that it improved self image, social skills and taught children how to cope with disappointment.

The advantages of athletic training at professional and international levels

Kids that show an affinity for a particular sport, such as soccer, can really benefit from professional training at an international level. The world of international soccer is highly competitive and offers new opportunities for achievement to youngsters who love the sport.

Look for camps, schools and training programs that are lead by coaches with experience playing soccer professionally in the international arena. Full-immersion international programs are especially desirable since they give children an opportunity to strengthen athletic skills and expose them to another language and culture.

The benefits of learning foreign languages

Students who learn foreign languages tend to score higher on the standardized tests in English. Thus, learning a new language actually improves a student’s grasp of English. Evidence also suggests that children who study a second language are more creative and better at complex problem solving.

Americans fluent in other languages have a deeper understanding of our culturally diverse world and more career opportunities. In addition to sharpening a child’s mind, learning a second language can directly impact their chance of future success.

The advantages of full-immersion language learning

Full-immersion language programs are a fast growing, wildly successful way for kids become bi-lingual. In these programs, students travel abroad and spend a great deal of time speaking and listening to a second language.

Immersion programs are possibly the most effective type of foreign language instruction available. Students involved in such programs can be expected to achieve more fluency than those studying in traditional settings. These advanced skills foster pride and pave the way for adult accomplishments.

Full-immersion sports and language training uniquely encourages kids’ potential

Traveling abroad is an experience that gives a sense of independence in children, a key aspect to creating self-esteem. When this is combined with the advantages of professional sports training and serious foreign language study kids are destined to win in the game of life. EduKick offers a full-immersion soccer and language experience in several European countries.