INTRODUCTION TO LANGUAGE LEARNING Basics to get you started

Principles for Effective Language Learning  Definition of language learning: What it is and isn’t  Self Directed learning: What is it?  The Role of the Language Coach  Importance of journaling for reflection & self awareness in language and cultural acquisition  Developing A Personal Motivation Plan  Use of Self Reports & Learning Contracts

Definition of Language Learning Discussion: How can you keep from thinking of language as a commodity or a task to be completed? What are some ways our learning process can benefit us in future ministry tasks & relationships?  Second Language Acquisition: The process by which people learn a language which is not their native language. (Macmillan Dictionary)  But it is more than this! “Language learning is fundamentally a function of social behavior and not a commodity” –Lonna Dickerson  The process of language learning is about so much more than just learning vocabulary. It is NOT just about being able to speak well, although that is a goal. It is also about personal growth and development as well.  In learning a second language and acculturating, we can learn life principles that will later transfer to other areas of life and ministry.

Self Directed Learning Discussion: Break down the definition of SD. Talk through each of the 4 components. What will that look like in your learning context?  Because language acquisition is individualized & is truly a part of “doing life”, the process must become self directed by the learner.  What is self direction? “A set of conditional freedoms which, in a given context, make it possible for individuals to: 1) determine their objectives 2) define the content & process of their own learning, 3) select their own methods & techniques, 4) monitor and evaluate their own progress & achievements.” –David Little

SD Learning: Why its important Discussion: Why do you feel that being self directed is important for your learning process?  Autonomy is a defining characteristic of ALL sustained learning.  Being self directed is the means by which learners transcend the limitations of their learning situations.  Self direction teaches you how to apply your learning in the day to day.

What Does a Self Directed Learner Look Like? Self directed learners are life long learners! Lessons of planning, goal setting, intentionality and maintained motivation extend well beyond the language learning process and can determine success in life & ministry!  Takes responsibility for own learning  Set their own learning goals  Make intentional plans and implement strategies to accomplish these plans  Adapt to changing situations  Don’t wait to be told what to do  Don’t lose hope of ever achieving their goals of proficiency. Don’t give up!

Life Long Learning Discussion: What area(s) of self direction do you feel most confident in? What area(s) do you feel you need additional help or training in?  Self directed learners are life long learners! Lessons of planning, goal setting, intentionality and maintained motivation extend well beyond the language learning process and can determine success in life & ministry!  Please visit the following website and take the “7 Attitudes of Learning Test” Be prepared to discuss the results at your next coaching session.  g-self-directed/activity-17-successful- attitudes.html g-self-directed/activity-17-successful- attitudes.html

Role of the Language Coach Discussion: What are your expectations of your coach? What should your coach expect of you?  Primary responsibility is to encourage the language learner.  The coach works with the language learner to co-create activities & methods and to mutually discover what works for the student.  Coach helps the student to set goals and maintain motivation to reach them.

Journaling for Self Reflection Discussion: What is your past experience with journaling?  “The unexamined life is not worth living.”- Plato  Even if you are not reflective by nature, it can be developed like anything else.  Collecting experiences & cultural observation does not go deep enough into helping you understand they whys of the culture and your responses to it.  Without self reflection, you cannot become self directed. Without self direction you will not develop habits for life long language learning.

Journaling: What am I reflecting on? Journaling in this sense is not “diary” keeping. It is observation, documentation and reflection. All three of these are necessary for effective planning, goal setting, self correction and sustained learning.  Assessing current needs (both language & lifestyle) and setting goals. Example: Out in the neighborhood & not able to say something. Make a note & find out!  Evaluating resources: What is working well? How can I get more of that? What am I missing? Where can I find that? -Go beyond books! TV, radio, internet, social media etc  Choosing activities & techniques - Reflect on what is working in community practice as well as in the classroom.

Journaling: What am I reflecting on? Discussion : Ideally, people would reflect on these concepts daily. What is a realistic weekly journaling goal for you?  Monitoring the Process -What am I learning about myself? How am I responding to my circumstances? How are people responding to me? Etc. -What is working well in my language learning situation?  Evaluating Progress -What can I do now that I couldn’t do last week? What do I want to be able to do next week? Next month? 6 months?

Developing a Personal Motivation Plan Did you know? Motivation is one of the MAIN determining factors in success in developing a second or foreign language!! It determines the extent of active, personal involvement in the learning.  When we think about motivation, it is helpful to think of it in 3 categories: mega-motivators, mini motivators, and de-motivators.  Examples of Mega-motivators: “A desire to change my identity and become a member of a new culture.” “A need of this language for long term social or work relationships.”

Developing A Personal Motivation Plan Discussion: See your “Developing a Motivation Plan Worksheet” and begin working on your own list of motivators & de- motivators.  Examples of Mini-motivators: “I need this language to survive in daily life” “I’m enjoying my activities.” “God called me to minister in this culture” “Other people want me to learn this language.”  Examples of De-motivators: “I don’t want to change my identity.” “I don’t like the way I have to learn” “Language learning involves making a lot of mistakes; it involves big laughed at & I am an adult!”

Developing a Personal Motivation Plan Discussion: Beyond just managing the emotional side of motivation, our physical health contributes to this as well. What areas of physical health will be important for you to address in maintaining motivation?  Motivation is something you manage like money or energy.  Part of being a self directed learner is discovering how to manage your emotions and your motivation.  The overall key to maintaining motivation is to make sure the motivators are winning out over the de- motivators.

Self Reports Discussion: Familiarize yourself with the “Language & Transition Update” as well as the “Language Study Report” documents in the Language & Orientation Manual.  More than “busy work,” self reports are an important part of self reflection and analysis of what is working and what needs to be improved in the language learning process.  Reports help the learner to: Stay on task Get advice & encouragement regularly Maintain higher degree of motivation Learn more efficiently Grow in ability to reflect on learning processes & results Become more self directed

Self Reports Discussion Self reports are due twice a month, before each coaching session. Do you foresee obstacles to completing this report? How can you overcome them?  Self reports and honest self reflection can be an important component of the coach- student relationship.  Maintaining the habit of observation, documentation and reflection will help instill habits of life long learning, well beyond the time of formal language study.  Written records can be an encouragement to students as they see progress and no longer struggle with old frustrations!

Learning another language & adjusting to life in another culture is not an easy job! But with God’s enablement, hard work and the encouragement of the people around you, it can be done!! (Without the help of robots )