The inlingua method of teaching languages is the result of decades of practical experience. We know for certain that the method works, because we can look back on years of its successful implementation. The inlingua organisation produces its own teaching material, specially designed to complement the inlingua method. It is this combination of special inlingua books and special teaching techniques which entitles us to speak of "the inlingua method" as an effective way to learn foreign languages.The primary aim of the inlingua method is to enable the learner to communicate as competently as possible in the foreign language. By "communicate", we mean the ability to speak and understand the target language.Of course, the inlingua method also helps the learner to read and write. The main emphasis, however, is on speech. It is only by speaking the language that the learner will acquire verbal competence.  

1. The trainer conducts the lesson in the target language only.
The student should start thinking in the target language as soon as possible. Translation confuses and wastes time.

2. The trainer gives the learner the opportunity to speak as much as possible during the lesson. 
The only way in which the student will learn to speak a language is by speaking it, just as one learns to play golf by hitting a golf ball with a golf club. 

3. The trainer conducts the greater part of the lesson orally, with the books closes. 
It is a fact that a language is learned by using and hearing it, therefore, the student should be less reliant on his eyes during the lessons.

4. The trainer concentrates more on teaching structures than on individual words. 
Language is not a collection of words, but a system of word combinations.

5. The trainer controls his/her teaching in such a way that most of the sentences produced by the learner are correct. 

6. The trainer diagnoses the extent of the learner's knowledge before supplying a model of providing a solution him/herself. 
The trainer should build on the student's knowledge and fill in gaps as soon as possible.

7. The trainer keeps theoretical explanations to a minimum. 
In order to drive a car it is not necessary to know how the engine works. The student should be able to induce a rule from examples.

8. The trainer encourages the learner to play a creative role in the leaning process.
In order for the student to be constructive and creative in his use of the target language, he must experiment. It is impossible to memorise a number of sentences and phrases which he thinks he will need one day. 

9. The trainer observes the principles of applied psychology. 
The goal of the inlingua method is to make language learning as efficient and pleasant as possible. The method is flexible to give the teacher the possibility to adapt his approach to the individual requirements of the student. Factors such as linguistical talent, motivation, openness and cultural particularities have to be considered. 

10. The trainer combines the structural and functional approaches to language teaching.  
A structural approach to language learning is one which places the main emphasis on learning the structures or grammatical items of a language. The functional approach emphasizes learning how to express oneself in situations which occur in everyday life. The most efficient teaching method is the combination of both approaches. The inlingua method teaches structure on the basis of functional situations.