Language Learning

by Amy

Brad and I have started using a new method for studying the local language. Three to four mornings a week our tutor comes over for two hours. (Our kids are at their schools.) We have a wordless-picture book in front of us. Brad and I spend about 3o minutes going back and forth describing what we see on the page and asking how to say different words. For example....

When we looked at this picture, these are some of the things Brad and I could say, or learned how to say....

The farmer is going fishing. He has a goatee and is wearing a hat. He's carrying a fishing pole on his shoulder. The fishing line is wrapped around the pole. He's wearing overalls with big pockets, a plaid shirt and black boots. His pants are rolled up and he has a long seam down each leg. There's a chicken following the farmer, staring the can of bait the he's carrying. The chicken's legs are short......

As we talk, we make a list of the words we're learning. Then, our tutor will record a description of the page, including all the things we said. Then, he'll record our new words, and review them with us using a listen-and-point method. I've been amazed at how many words I'm learning and how much more comfortable we're getting with speaking off the cuff.

This last weekend, I had some girl friends come over to study a Good Book with me. I usually teach in English. But, one of my friends had brought a non-English speaker to join our group. At the same time a couple of guys came over to hang out with Brad. Since some of the girls knew Brad's guy friends, at the last minute we decided to combine groups. Brad took my non-detailed notes (in English) and taught/lead a discussion for 90 minutes in the local language without any prep! I was amazed! He is progressing so well! We both still have a long way to go in mastering this language, but it's encouraging to see growth.