Intro to a Foreign Language an SOS presentation Shawn Ford ESOL Program Kapi‘olani Community College

Language Anxiety!  Have you been putting off your foreign language requirement because you're terrified of learning another language?  Are you interested in a foreign language but unsure about how useful it will be for you?  Have you tried studying a foreign language before but weren't successful?  Are you interested in a foreign language but not sure where to begin? If you answered YES or even a weak maybe to any of these questions, then this workshop is for you!

Consider the possible benefits…  Language learning: family, community, educated person  Cultural awareness: openness, understanding, worldly  Study abroad opportunities: Freeman scholarships Study abroad opportunities Study abroad opportunities  Travel: the world is your playground!  Employment: greater annual pay and bonuses Employment “How will studying a foreign language be useful for me in my future?”

Consider your own reasons…  Motivation: extrinsic or intrinsic  Goal: pass or learn “Why am I going to take a foreign language class at KCC?”

What’s your motivation? Extrinsic  Is your motivation extrinsic ? (a result of outside pressures; not of your own free will)  College requirement  GPA / grades  Financial: scholarship or employment opportunities  Family / community obligation

What’s your motivation? Intrinsic  Is your motivation intrinsic ? (a result of internal processes; of your own free will)  Personal interest: family / community connection  Personal development: educated person  Personal fulfillment: success and achievement

Is your goal to pass or to learn? Depending on your motivation, your goal for the language course may be different… Depending on your motivation, your goal for the language course may be different…  If your motivation is mostly extrinsic, your goal may just be to pass the course.  If your goal is intrinsic, your goal may be to learn the language that you’re studying.

Language learning considerations… With your motivation and goal in mind, here are some issues to consider when learning a foreign language… With your motivation and goal in mind, here are some issues to consider when learning a foreign language…  Time: it takes many, many hours, months and years to master a foreign language  Effort: learning a foreign language requires daily practice and rehearsal  Language differences: all languages are complexly different

Language differences  Sentence structure: English = SOV  Word structure: English has prefixes and suffixes  Vocabulary: English has Latin, Greek, French and German origins  Writing systems: English is alphabetic script  Pronunciation: English sounds are unique

Preparing for coursework…  Be realistic about your goal: time and effort  Review English grammar rules  Preview the language: library resources, online sites, video rental, TV, friends  Shop around: meet instructors, preview course syllabi, talk to other students What can I do to prepare myself for taking my foreign language course?

College support…  KCC Library resources KCC Library resources KCC Library resources  KCC 290 courses  Online language sites: google it!  Foreign Language faculty (see handout; introductions) (see handout; introductions) Where can I get help while taking my foreign language course?

Questions? Thank you for attending, and good luck with your foreign language learning!