“Pick up the green colored pencil and stick it behind your left ear.”
Simple right?
Except it’s in German and you just started learning the language 4 days ago. You’ve had a couple hours each day to work on it with a German language helper. Your practice doesn’t really include memorizing phrases, or even you using the German words. In addition to that, you don’t have much time out of class to spend practicing.
Still sound simple? Or even possible??
A couple weeks ago when I read about learning a language without talking much in the beginning I frowned. I shook my head skeptically. I silently argued that this had to be the most ridiculous language learning process I’d ever heard of.
And yet, it worked. Really well. And… I love it!
Even more exciting, I can actually picture doing this in a cross cultural setting. It’s surprisingly freeing to be able to listen and seek to understand what you’re hearing without worrying about saying it the right way.
During our TPR small group sessions we’ve spent most of our time learning vocabulary words – objects, actions etc. and then being quizzed on them in phrases. For instance, we learn the words for “stapler”, “scissors” and “pencil” in German, and then are quizzed. Our helper says, “Show me the…” and we point to the *hopefully* correct item. Keep adding more objects and additional phrases, and your brain is forced to work harder on comprehending what’s being said.
That’s why I now believe it’s entirely possible to, without having any real prior knowledge of a language, follow complex directions accurately after even just a few sessions.
I now see the benefit to using a comprehension focused language and culture learning plan. Start understanding what’s going on around you and then try to speak.
TPR. If I gush about it the next time I see you please forgive me. It’s just that good.