Comments on: Back… and addled http://languagelabunleashed.org/2007/12/26/back-and-addled/ Language learning and technology for teachers and technologists, K-16 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 06:51:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Barbara http://languagelabunleashed.org/2007/12/26/back-and-addled/#comment-8676 Barbara Tue, 01 Jan 2008 19:19:03 +0000 http://www.languagelabunleashed.org/2007/12/26/back-and-addled/#comment-8676 Something from Cincinnati.com to add to the mix: http://tinyurl.com/2uu5bf Something from Cincinnati.com to add to the mix:

http://tinyurl.com/2uu5bf

]]> By: Colleen http://languagelabunleashed.org/2007/12/26/back-and-addled/#comment-8669 Colleen Tue, 01 Jan 2008 03:52:09 +0000 http://www.languagelabunleashed.org/2007/12/26/back-and-addled/#comment-8669 Interesting perspective Pedro. I too have found that most language learners (I teach ESOL and Spanish) may initially be reluctant to engage in the language learning process because of their ego and their unwillingness to make mistakes. Many others are unmotivated because they don't see the purpose. When learners are able to experience it for themselves creating their own language (however frightening that my sound or appear to others) instead of the 20 minute snack Mr. Ferris suggests, they are empowered to participate in the process because it is meaningful to them and has purpose. They begin to accept themselves where ever they find themselves in the process because it is worthwhile and continue to move forward. This process is hardly perfecting a language. I too applaud anyone who can remove inhibitions from English speakers- it starts with education and motivation not deconstruction. Interesting perspective Pedro. I too have found that most language learners (I teach ESOL and Spanish) may initially be reluctant to engage in the language learning process because of their ego and their unwillingness to make mistakes. Many others are unmotivated because they don’t see the purpose. When learners are able to experience it for themselves creating their own language (however frightening that my sound or appear to others) instead of the 20 minute snack Mr. Ferris suggests, they are empowered to participate in the process because it is meaningful to them and has purpose. They begin to accept themselves where ever they find themselves in the process because it is worthwhile and continue to move forward. This process is hardly perfecting a language. I too applaud anyone who can remove inhibitions from English speakers- it starts with education and motivation not deconstruction.

]]> By: Barbara http://languagelabunleashed.org/2007/12/26/back-and-addled/#comment-8665 Barbara Mon, 31 Dec 2007 17:46:59 +0000 http://www.languagelabunleashed.org/2007/12/26/back-and-addled/#comment-8665 Thank you for your comments Steve! As I see you have a lot of information on your site about Krashen, I am wondering what you would think about this... I often wonder if the surveys and studies that rate the difficulty of learning languages actually create greater barriers to learning a language, especially the languages that are of such critical importance to us in the world. One of our Arabic professors would routinely tell his students that they needed to stop thinking the language was hard and just apply themselves as they would to any subject that mattered to them... and that class excelled beyond anyone's wildest dreams. There are brain studies that talk about how language is processed as it is being learned, but we tend to forget about the filters we subtley (or overtly) impose by categorizing certain languages as "hard" or "easy" to learn. Thoughts? Thank you for your comments Steve!

As I see you have a lot of information on your site about Krashen, I am wondering what you would think about this… I often wonder if the surveys and studies that rate the difficulty of learning languages actually create greater barriers to learning a language, especially the languages that are of such critical importance to us in the world. One of our Arabic professors would routinely tell his students that they needed to stop thinking the language was hard and just apply themselves as they would to any subject that mattered to them… and that class excelled beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. There are brain studies that talk about how language is processed as it is being learned, but we tend to forget about the filters we subtley (or overtly) impose by categorizing certain languages as “hard” or “easy” to learn.

Thoughts?

]]> By: Barbara http://languagelabunleashed.org/2007/12/26/back-and-addled/#comment-8664 Barbara Mon, 31 Dec 2007 17:45:29 +0000 http://www.languagelabunleashed.org/2007/12/26/back-and-addled/#comment-8664 I would be curious in knowing more about what you do, Pedro, in that you say you are not a language teacher and yet you say you have worked with ex-pats who want to learn new languages. Where are you in the world? About which languages are you referring? Do tell us more! I would be curious in knowing more about what you do, Pedro, in that you say you are not a language teacher and yet you say you have worked with ex-pats who want to learn new languages. Where are you in the world? About which languages are you referring? Do tell us more!

]]> By: Pedro Maal http://languagelabunleashed.org/2007/12/26/back-and-addled/#comment-8654 Pedro Maal Mon, 31 Dec 2007 11:14:50 +0000 http://www.languagelabunleashed.org/2007/12/26/back-and-addled/#comment-8654 In defense of Mr. Ferris' view of language learning, I have worked with many ex-patriots who want to learn new languages, and their principal hinderance is their egos and their unwillingness to make mistakes. If a person's goal is to break through the language barrier and communicate, then Tim Ferris's suggestions are right on target. If a person's goal is to perfect and study a language for the long term, then of course, further study is necessary. The reality is that beng a native English speaker is as much a benefit as it is a detriment on the global scene. It is a benefit, because of the fact that it is the international language and they will speak the most universal language with total fluency. My experience is that it is a detriment, because it allows speakers to be lazy and avoid learning other languages altogether. In this context, I applaud anyone who can remove inhibitions from English speakers to learn other languages. I am not a language teacher by trade, but must invariably address the subject constantly with my employees. I hope I explained a different perspective to language learning. In defense of Mr. Ferris’ view of language learning, I have worked with many ex-patriots who want to learn new languages, and their principal hinderance is their egos and their unwillingness to make mistakes.

If a person’s goal is to break through the language barrier and communicate, then Tim Ferris’s suggestions are right on target.

If a person’s goal is to perfect and study a language for the long term, then of course, further study is necessary.

The reality is that beng a native English speaker is as much a benefit as it is a detriment on the global scene. It is a benefit, because of the fact that it is the international language and they will speak the most universal language with total fluency. My experience is that it is a detriment, because it allows speakers to be lazy and avoid learning other languages altogether.

In this context, I applaud anyone who can remove inhibitions from English speakers to learn other languages. I am not a language teacher by trade, but must invariably address the subject constantly with my employees.

I hope I explained a different perspective to language learning.

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