I feel like time is just slowing to a crawl. I
guess this is what anticipation does to you, can't wait to go on my
mission and then Marrakesh!! But in the meantime I wanted to share two
links with everyone, because they really encapsulate two
important motivators in my life. One is the Ted Radio Hour discussing
the haves and have nots and the problem with development and wealth
inequality. And the other is why there is no excuse to not learn a
language, and as many as you want.
I have been very fortunate in my life
and these two talks do a good job of explaining how. I have worked with
amazing organizations and with people who have opened my eyes to not
just injustice, but the ways that assistance can be unjust. That it is
not enough to have your heart in the right place, and it is not true
that something is better than nothing. The fact is, international aid, and
local aid for that matter, done poorly can destroy people and communities. Only in
assistance do we look at the failure of a "product" and blame the
"customer".
The other talk goes a long way in explaining the so-called
"gift" for languages, which I have never believed in, and almost take as
an insult. The notion of a gift, not only acting as a convenient excuse for not learning a second language, completely negates all the work, the classes, the
travel, the embarrassment, the loss of self, the uprooting of identity,
the successes, and eventual acceptance that is all a part of learning
languages. And as Benny explains, there are efficient ways of learning
languages, and each person will have to find what works for them.
But
much like development, the official way of learning is very inefficient.
If you are serious about learning a foreign language, let this guy be
your guru, and of course you can always ask me for tips. I promise you
my answer won't be, you just have to have the gift. Please take a look
and listen and leave comments about what you think.
Inscription à :
Publier les commentaires (Atom)
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire