Language learning is for children

I studied Spanish at the University of Michigan. I studied Greek at Harvard. I studied Mandarin in China. In Nicaragua, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, I preached in Spanish, translated for mission teams, and sang songs in Mayan. I am not unfamiliar with the joys and challenges of language learning. However, over the years, the only language that really stuck with me is Spanish. Mandarin and Greek are still Greek to me...

But here, in Colorado Springs, I am learning not just a new language, but a new way of learning language, based on the idea that language learning is for children. It seeks to explore language acquisition: methods for "acquiring" a language more naturally, rather than "learning" a language in a classroom.

As a child, language learning is all input. Babies hear and learn the meaning of words, as well as the ways in which syllables are shaped and formed. They do not speak it, read it, or write it, until they have absorbed it through listening. For children, language acquisition is done in a multi-generational setting, usually in a safe, family environment, not among strangers in a classroom. Language is learned relationally, and ideally includes encouragement from loved ones. It is learned in context, in the process of daily living, not in a secluded environment. It does not have a specific time frame, but comes as the child is ready. When a baby is learning a language, she does not ask to "see it in writing."  

PILAT (Program in Language Acquisition Techniques) is based upon these theories. Listening is of primary importance. Today, I learned no grammar, no vocabulary, not even basic greetings. Instead, we are immersed in phonetics, hearing new sounds, listening to syllables, paying attention to tones I have never noticed before. I get to watch people move their mouths and tongues at very close range. In fact, our instructor encouraged us to hear, see, and even smell his pronunciation! It is remarkably interesting, and it is a good thing I don't have huge issues with personal space.

The main idea here is that I am not learning to speak Chichewa; I am learning to listen to Chichewa. And while I hope that this is an effective language acquisition technique, it seems like a very good way to approach our upcoming journey. A lot more listening than speaking. Using my ears and my eyes, instead of my mouth. Children learn so much by listening; certainly, we adults could benefit from listening a lot more.

So, hopefully, I can learn like a ten month old baby, really hearing and listening and looking for awhile. And possibly crying like a baby every once in awhile, too! But mostly, this is great fun, and very interesting. Full of joy, expectation, and excitement. I am so grateful for the opportunity to listen and learn.

We leave exactly two weeks from today for Zambia, and I have eleven days left of language acquisition training here in Colorado Springs. While I am here, Joel, Frankie, and Johnny are in Michigan, and we do appreciate prayers for the family as we are separated during these last, hectic weeks. As I spend time listening and learning, Joel has his hands full with the children, and a lot of packing! So, thanks for the prayers, and for journeying with us!