My mind works to music. Since learning my ABC’s in kindergarten, I have found it easier to learn all sorts of material with songs. I enjoy making raps or rhymes rather than writing down material to memorize. I can remember songs from when I was a young child, songs that I haven’t heard in years. I recognized my inclination toward songs and music; therefore, when learning Spanish throughout high school, I would learn the Spanish alphabet and verb tenses to music as well. This method was useful, as introductory Spanish classes required that I memorize large segments of vocabulary every week. It was nearly impossible unless I made rhymes or songs to connect the Spanish words to a thought in English. Music is a phenomenal way to learn and never forget rather than attempt to memorize and loose the information from short-term memory after a quiz or test on the information.
I’m an oratory learner. I find that I learn best by listening to the conversations of native speakers and picking up on specific words. Immersing myself solely in the foreign language while proceeding about my normal day-to-day routines would allow learning to be more natural to me. I often mimic sounds that are appealing to me when listening to a teacher speak in their native tongue. I find that it helps me properly structure sentences when writing essays and when engaging in conversation with others. I know that when learning a foreign language, it is important to use correct pronunciation when speaking. Mimicking teachers and native speakers allows me to feel confident when speaking the language.
Why do I learn this way? Growing up, my mother would sing nursery rhymes to help my siblings and I rest. In elementary school she used the same concept to help me learn my vowels as I began learning to read and write. In third grade, I struggled learning multiplication until I came across a “multiplication rap”. My entire life I have made up songs and rhymes to help me learn. In every subject, from science to math, I have a song to go along with learning the foundation and I can recite them all from memory. I enjoy creating songs and rhymes because they make learning enjoyable to me. I feel confident on tests when I can recite my creations from memory to myself in order to come up with answers.
Why is this effective? I know that I learn best when I listen others teach because I am able to physically hear and remember what is being taught. I pride myself in being a conversationalist in classroom discussion so that I can grasp information mentally, based on topics that interest me. When learning a foreign language I would like to engage in these same rituals. Trying to memorize information based only on reading and writing is not an effective learning strategy for me. I quickly forget at least half of the information and most of it begins to blend together. Therefore, language learning is best taught through an oratory means for me.
According to the FIRE Model for Integrative Thinking, I am an evaluative learner. I work better in a more personal learning environment. I know that combining language learning with personal learning relationships with my language partners will be extremely valuable to me as I am extremely interested in Gujarati culture and language.
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