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Flow vs Focus: What Language Learners Can Learn From Parkour

(Wiktor’s note: throughout the text, the terms “parkour” and “free running” are used interchangeably. Yes, I know there’s a difference. No, I don’t care that much. Carry on reading if you’re not gravely offended by now.)

 

Nerds have wet dreams, too. One of them – for many people I know, and for myself, more than once – was to be like a traceur, or “free runner.” If you saw parkour on “Yamakasi” or in the opening scenes of “Casino Royale,” you probably know what I mean.

Parkour as an art of movement has seemingly nothing to do with learning foreign languages. But upon closer inspection, some principles become evident. This post is a very quick introduction to the similarities between parkour and speaking foreign languages.

Get your shoes on and follow me.

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5×5: Five Things You Should Do In (At Least) Five Languages

When people say “I know X languages,” it’s hard to guess what they actually mean. Their expertise usually ranges from deep and thorough knowledge to just a few swear words. Today’s post is about the golden mean: I’m going to write about five social functions you should be able to perform in as many languages as possible. This, of course, is not a definite list – in fact, several of these were inspired by quirky hobbies and practical jokes of some friends of mine! Treat it like a guideline – and an invitation to explore further.

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Foreign Languages & Human Rights: Ways To Get Involved

Today, 10th of December, is Human Rights Day. What can language learners and teachers do to really celebrate it properly?

And why does it even matter?

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Connecting the Dots: My Ride with English

Note: this post is a response to Vicky Loras’s blog challenge. It was fun to write – hopefully fun to read as well? Thanks for the inspiration, Vicky!

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What (Language) Teachers Make

Usually, poems about teachers are written by grateful, nice fifth-graders. So what happens when a curmudgeonly thirty-something decides to write one?

Amazing things, apparently.

Taylor Mali’s poem “What Teachers Make” has been my inspiration for long. But I haven’t been able, so far, to look at what it means for language teachers – and how it defines an inspired (and inspiring) foreign language tutor.

Tonight’s the night. This post is sponsored by two angry ex-teachers – Taylor Mali and I. Hang tight.

1. Taylor Mali and the Myth of Nice Teachers

First, the man himself – and his poem (forcefully delivered):

[youtube id=”0xuFnP5N2uA” width=”600″ height=”350″]

The first thing that hits you upon listening to this may be: “well, that wasn’t very nice.” No, indeed not. This may not be the type of person who would find employment in private language schools. The stereotype of a “nice” language teacher pervades modern language schools. Every observed lesson, every successful demonstration, every teacher training video shows you this: smiling, attentive and infallibly polite folks teaching you languages.

This is awesome, recommended and – all in all – “nice work if you can get it.” But in the unspoken hierarchy of students’ needs, “nice” would probably come second.

“Fair” is first.

If you don’t believe me, go and teach a class of seven-year-olds. They will tolerate you if you’re being nice – but not if you’re being unfair. And they will let you know when things are not OK.

What are other things Mali inspired me to do?

2. “…work harder than they ever thought they could.”

My success story involves two weeks of English study with a freshly-promoted CEO. It also involves huge quantities of Red Bull, and hand puppets of Ernie and Bert.

To cut it short (and outrun cries for explanation): it’s incredibly hard to arrive at a correct estimate of one’s own ability. And it is the teacher’s job to do away with our over- and underestimations.

This, again, is not always nice. You may feel that you’re not ready for that exercise, or that a certain role-play is too hard for you. A good teacher, however, will not aim for “just right” activities: the level will always be challenging enough for you to progress.

3. “for who they are and what they can be.”

It’s awfully easy to teach a bad language lesson. All a teacher has to do is walk in, conduct every single activity according to plan and time limit, and walk out.

The awesome (and difficult) work begins when you add learners into the equation. They are the ones who need help, seek recognition, overcome problems, ask for clarification. They work, think, speak and listen in different, peculiar ways.

It’s awfully hard to teach a good language lesson. What a teacher has to do is walk in and make the subject matter and material accessible to every single learner. She has to adapt, revise, flex and elicit the subject matter. She needs to know who needs a push, who is best left alone at times, and who can be trusted to help others out.

That’s why I’m sometimes freaked out by amazing teachers: they seem to know exactly what, when and how their students will say, do and think.

4. “I make them question. I make them criticise.”

OK, this will be a tricky one. Here’s an example. As I was preparing a library of internet-based lessons for my teaching staff, I noticed that one of such online worksheet collections asks students to improve their language by exploring several corporate websites.

Nothing wrong with that, sure. And yet, if every other lesson was based on a corporate message (and it’s hard to ignore them in modern-day language textbooks), whose job would it be to make sure objectivity and balance is restored?

This is especially important in learning foreign languages. A good tutor will carefully, but thoroughly dismantle your stereotypes and misconceptions. He will enable you to learn foreign culture through the language you discover. He will ensure you remain curious and open-minded, but he will also prevent you from becoming an ultra-optimistic consumer of all things related to the language.

Good English teacher may teach you English. An awesome English teacher will allow you a sneak peek behind the stage, and explain how English influences global culture.

A good Chinese tutor will go through the tones and alphabet carefully and slowly. And awesome Chinese tutor would, equally slowly and carefully, introduce you to this country’s complicated history and culture.

Languages are powerful tools. Great teachers make sure you use them skilfully.

 

Hey, language learners and teachers! Any inspiring thoughts on Mali’s poem? How about your ideas for good teachers? Share them in the comments below!

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Not Quite For Real: Language Learning and Pantomime – 5 Quick Lessons

‘Tis the season to be jolly. And in my current neck of the woods, this means crossdressing and slapstick on stage…ah, the good ol’ pantomime.

If you have seen one, you don’t need to be convinced of its peculiar charm. And if you haven’t seen one yet, this post may persuade you to do so. You may not believe this, but for a language learner, a pantomime is a symbol of everything that’s good and worthy about the study of foreign speech and culture. And no, I don’t mean men in tights.

Grab your mug of hot chocolate, read on and let me explain.