I am currently doing the rest of my volunteering service at LARA (Lafayette Adult Resource Center). It's a total of 20 hrs. of service. While there I work with native Spanish speakers who are trying to learn English. While working with them I also get to practice and improve my Spanish speaking skills.
The student I work with regularly is an woman in her mid to late- 40s from Guatemala. I wouldn't say she can speak broken English. It's more like Spanish with a few English words sprinkled on top. I don't mind that fact that she can barely speak English. I prefer it in fact because it forces me to use Spanish to explain things for her which then increase my vocabulary.
The instructor of the class is an extremely patient woman with a true talent for teaching. I only come to the classroom one day out of the week but each time I see how difficult it is to explain an aspect of English grammar using another language. You have to think on two different levels. On one level you have to understand why something is the way it is in English. It might sound easy to do because you speak English, but you just can't tell your student, "you say it this way because it sounds better". You have to explain the specific rule behind why something is said the why it's said.
On the second level you have to think of a simple way to explain the rule for English grammar but while using correct Spanish grammar so that your student can understand you. If you explanation isn't correct your student will be even more confused than they were before they asked you the question.
It's a serious challenge, but I will gladly take it.
Hi Jenaya,
ReplyDeleteThis is so neat! I haven’t really heard very much about programs like this, so I’m glad I’m getting a firsthand view through your blog! I speak French fluently and I have taken a French course ever semester of my life since middle school and did workbooks, etc. before that. It’s very difficult to try to explain things in another language. I know, for me, sometimes it’s nerve-wracking to try to speak to someone native in their language! I really struggle to speak to my French professors because I’m worried about being corrected! You sound like you are very passionate with LARA and you sound like a wonderful teacher! I am glad there are people who have the amount of patience you do. I know with languages, I feel very discouraged and get frustrated as a learner and get a little impatient when I’m trying to explain what and why to do something. I wish you good luck in all of your future community service!
Shannon
Out of all the other projects I've read about so far yours is certainly the most interesting! I love foreign languages and learning about other people's cultures! Most of my family is from Germany and I know how people may feel when they come to a new country and all they want to do is learn that language so they can better thrive where they are. I agree with Shannon when she said that explaining languages can be tough. I taught third graders in my hometown German and I will admit it was a huge challenge trying to get them to simply understand the concept of another language in general, let alone how to speak it! It can be extremely frustrating but you sound like you are extremely passionate about what you are doing and that is always important! I think what you're doing is absolutely amazing and knowing you you'll be amazing at it!
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