Language File IX: Goal Setting

swiftmessenger-languagefiles.blogspot.com

Launching of Language Learning Blog

       In the beginning I did not know I would be posting so much on language learning. I see now that the subject needs its own blog. For this reason, I have made a new blog, not to replace Swift Messenger, but to have a separate blog dedicated solely to the art of language learning. http://swiftmessenger-languagefiles.blogspot.com/

Language File VIII: The Aerodynamics of Language Learning

         

            As good as time with native speakers can be for your language learning, time away can be equally as bad. Massive amounts of time with native speakers is best for language learning; however, this is not always possible, as we have found out. Many things get in the way of immersion learning, like meetings, doctor visits, resupply, etc. This can be a discouraging loss of momentum.

            So what can be done about this challenge? Timing can be a great asset in avoiding language regression. In order to take advantage of  limited time we will look at a concept call the “power curve.” 
           The power curve is a concept from the field of aerodynamics. The graph below shows the power curve of a turbine generator. Basically, the output of our generator increases as the input (wind speed) increases, until the maximum output is reached. At this point, the rate of output decreases. This is called the Power curve.    

                     

                        

I believe this same concept is true of language learning. I call it the “progression curve.” Basically, learning will progress at a constant rate in conjunction with the effort applied by the learner. Learning progresses for weeks or months, depending on the learner’s capacity. However, every learner reaches a point when the rate of learning slows in relation to effort exerted. This slow rate of learning can continue for some time and the results are discouraging. So how do we beat the progression curve?

         

            The answer lies in timing. If the learner maintains a high level of self awareness, he or she will know when it is time to take a break and re-set their graph so to speak. This can be extremely difficult early on, but with time, the learner will know when to press on and when to take a few days off.

You can take advantage of the progression curve. If you know that in a few weeks you will have to be out of the speech community for a meeting or vacation, make the appropriate adjustments to your learning schedule. Break out of the routine and take some big strides forward. Work harder than you would normally would. By supercharging your learning, you can plan to finish your sprint just before you hit the progression curve; then, take a break. When you return to your routine your mind will have processed what you previously took in, and your brain will have room for more. This will allow for your learning to continue moving forward avoiding the progression curve.   
      

                 

Language File VII: Moving Forward

As we moved forward different members of the team had different experiences and many challenges arose. The greatest issue is TIME. Time is the key ingredient in the language-learning recipe and we are lacking in this spice. If time is not there, no approach will work. The challenge is finding time in the course of an extremely busy day, not to mention a personal energy crisis due to change of nutrition and cultural stress. However, there are not language schools for learning Karamojong and no place to study the language outside of the language community. The situation is not easy, but neither is it a true disadvantage. I am a firm believer that any language should be learned with in the context of a language community. This approach couples language and culture into one learning process.

Is it possible to learn a language apart from culture? Yes, this is one of the dangers of language schools. Is it possible to learn culture apart from language? Yes, this is very common on the mission field due to the use of translators. However, the goal of any language learner should be to learn language and culture in complementary progression. For our team, language learning must be done in the context of ministry and life in Karamoja (the homeland of the Karamojong). The simplest task can become a day’s chore in the bush. The demands of life do not afford the luxury of six hours a day dedicated purely to language study. So what can we do? We can do a lot! I have answered the challenge by not separating language from life, but by integrating the two. When my day starts, my language learning starts. 

Language File VI: Week-One

          Based on the needs of the team we decided to have one tutor for one learner. The tutors had been selected and trained based on the needs of our learners. Or first task was learning the greetings. I chose to use a very simple question and answer model loosely based on the LAMP manual. The process, as described in post IV, was mildly successful. Problems arose when our tutors did not follow the “lesson plan.” When the learners asked questions the responses were not always constant with the pre-planned lesson.  LAMP does have limitations and we found them. If the tutor cannot read, it is hard for the tutor to remain consistent. The tutor might give an appropriate, yet, unexpected response. On the other hand, if the tutor can read, he or she might be uncomfortable moving off the page, so to speak, in answering questions not written in the lesson. All in all, the question and response drills can be stressful for both the learner and the tutor. It was simply too much to bite off at one time. I am realized the problem and cut my greetings by a half. Instead of learning sixteen phrases, I focused on learning these eight:  

How are you?                                                  Ikoni ai?

                         I am fine.                                                         Ejok.

 My name is Robert.                                          Erai ekakiro Robert.

What is your name?                                           Ŋai ekon kiro?

My name is JB.                                                 Erai ekakiro JB.

Where do you come from?                                 Ai Ibunitor iyong?

From Lomusian.                                                Abunit ayong aLomusian.

How is Lomusian?                                             Ekoni Lomusian ai?

It is good.                                                         Ejok.

I used these eight phrases to get over my feelings of insecurity. The first week was coming to an end and I needed to feel like I had a handle on something. Instead of beating myself up over not completing the lesson, I chose to change the lesson, make it easier, and move ahead. These first phrases were the beginning of my language core (which we will discuss later). Every day I used every phrase as many times as I could. Sometimes, I would understand the response, sometimes not. But, it was ok, I was saying something more than, “do you speak English.” It took me several days to get this thin base, but when I did, I felt as if I could more forward with confidence.      

Language Learning V: Day-One

Let the learning begin! Our fist day of class was full of excitement and STRESS. I have learned to not underestimate the amount of stress that goes along with language learning. Each learner had a personal tutor and I am sure that the tutors were going through similar emotions. Our first few days were based around learning greetings using the simple question and response described earlier. Honestly, from a purely scientific perspective I do not believe that the greetings are the best place to begin learning a language. Often, greetings implement complex sentence forms. In learning greetings the learner runs the risk of getting way a head of himself. However, learning a language is much more than scientific, there I said it.

There is an equally important HUMAN factor. The our-number one goal in learning the Karamojong language is to communicate to the Karamojong people. For this reason, greetings are the best starting point. If I walked up to a young man as he is keeping his sheep and began to recite the basic phonology of his language it would be uninteresting and weird to say the least. However, if I were to walk up to this same Shepard and say, “hello, how are you” I would not only spark the young man’s interest but he might even respond!

The Word Of Life

 

                                                                                            The greatest thing that I have learned in these first three months in Africa is a profound dependence upon the Word of God. For my entire life I have known that the Scriptures are important. However, this has not kept me from neglecting the discipline of communing with the Word. The reality in my brain failed to penetrate my heart. Yet, this all began to change a few years ago. Knowing that my life needed the word of God was not enough. Somehow, I felt that I could live without it. Maybe it was that so many of my "Christian" friends lived without the Word of God and they seemed to do just fine. I had bought into a lie. They were not fine.                              Any christian that neglects the God's Word is disobedient.  

            I remember talking to a dear friend of mind named Mowgli. I remember telling him, “We do not study Scripture because we think that it will make our lives better, but out of devotion to God.” In answering Mowgli’s question the Spirit spoke to me. Had I not been guilty of this very mindset? I had looked to scripture to improve my life and fix my problems instead of seeing devotion to His Truth as my reasonable act of service. The blessing is a byproduct. If the blessing is our goal we are reaching in the wrong direction. Christ must be focal point, not ourselves.