In this post I interview a friend on learning a second language. Richard has a lot to share about the importance of connecting with another person in there native language and we will explore that shortly, but first what about having something to say in the target people’s language. Whether we are teaching English or studying another language. It’s important that we have something worthwhile to say. I’ve spent about 15 years teaching English in both Hong Kong and China. As a “Foreign Expert” that’s what they used to call me in China, people used to really pay attention to what I would say. Occasionally, I would sound eloquent and people seemed to hang on my words. Today it seems that the overall attitude towards hard work in general and learning English in particular has become much more lax. The culture doesn’t value English as much as it used to. There are lots of opinion pieces written in the South Morning China Post about this. I have posted one below.
Reach Your Students Where They Are
Teaching lower level English students requires patience. Students may not have the vocabulary for us to speak to them in English as eloquently as we would like, but we still need to have something to say to them. Something that is worthy of their attention. We may have to work hard to distill our thoughts into body language, simple English words, or even Chinese so that our kids can understand. Also our kids may need persuading. They may not think of our words as being worthy of their efforts, but if we persevere these obstacles can be overcome.
Come Alive Moment
Students need to know how much we care. We are there to plant seeds in their lives. Just as our parents, mentors and friends planted seeds into our lives. We didn’t get to where we are today all at once. Understanding comes in phases and there are gaps. We are now there in the classroom to plant seeds into their lives. Maybe something we say will ignite a fire in them that will cause something that wasn’t there before to come alive. A few weeks ago, Pastor Andrew from the Vine Church in Hong Kong was talking about an audition he did for the drama club when he was 15 years old. Andrew got up on the stage to perform. When he finished the judge was speechless. At first, it made Andrew nervous, but then the judge said, “What you just did made me come alive.” Those words forever impacted Andrew, he knew from that moment on that causing people to “come alive” would shape his life’s mission. (19 minutes and 20 seconds into his message)
Interview With Richard
While I was home in the United States, I had the privilege of meeting with Richard an old friend from church. I asked Richard about how he got to be interested in language studies. In the following interview, Richard shares about his journey. His story is inspiring. It has a similar thread running through it as Pastor Andrews. In Richard’s case, it was a teacher that spoke into his life. Richard, “You could be really good at this,” the teacher said. Those words penetrated deep into Richard’s heart. Richard still had to work really hard, but he has seen the fruit of his labor. He says that it was like discovering another life that he had. Today Richard uses Spanish in his training professional athletes. I’m proud of you Richard.
Summary
People are worthy of investing in. Whether it’s in their first language or in a second language. We need to position ourselves to be available for them and to make a difference in their lives. Who knows maybe you will be the person to speak into the next Andrew or the next Richard’s life. Don’t limit yourself.
