Reflect on your previous experiences as a language learner. What did you enjoy? What did you dislike? Think about the FIRE model and the surveys you have just completed. What kind of learner are you? What kinds of language learning activities suit your learning style? How do you think you should expand your learning activities?
I began learning a second language when I came to the United States at the age of 3. I remember hearing anecdotes of being the child that never stayed quiet. When coming to the U.S., I started learning English as soon as we arrived. I remember learning speaking, listening, and reading skills very quickly. It was through t.v. shows that I initially learned to listen and speak. My parents at that time only knew the english they learned in the Eritrean education system and soon my older brother and I became every day translators. I enjoyed the role I played in the family and I think this is why I employ these aspect of learning in my education now. Usually, when I study, I try to explain it in order to fully understand myself...but I will get into that later. Because I came to the U.S. at such a young age, I was essentially learning Tigrigna, my native tongue, and English at the same time. Within a year though I entered the school system and never got a chance to learn the Tigrigna script, Ge’ez. My parents always encouraged us to learn and eventually we were able to learn the alphabet. In middle school I was finally starting to write, while at the same time my speaking and listening skills continued at a normal rate. Reflecting back on this experience I understand that it wasn’t until I developed a personal drive to learn Tigrigna script that I was able to do it efficiently. It principally came out of a necessity to participate more in Church services that employed Ge’ez script. I also used this knowledge to write letters in Tigrigna that persuaded my parents to let me do things as I distracted them with the cuteness of my new found knowledge.
Throughout middle and high school, I also began learning Spanish. This learning model was different than the one I established with Tigrigna. It focused more on reading and writing skills over listening and speaking which was reflected in class instruction, activities, and assessments. In college, learning spanish heavily included speaking and listening aspects. I noticed students complaining about teachers only speaking in Spanish and expecting them to respond in Spanish which shifted the classroom expectations more than students assumed. I found that understanding Spanish culture and the instructors personal way of communicating was really important in finding meaning and that it wasn’t just about vocabulary and grammar concepts as I had originally thought. Going to Spain enhanced my language experience heavily. I was able to speak in a more fluid way and learn how to find holistic meaning rather than just identifying vocabulary words.
Now going into formally learning Amharic, a language that I have cultural experience with but am lacking the grammatical structures and lexicon in order to develop, I will likely focus on that aspect primarily. However, I will take into consideration that I still learn in similar ways. I will employ teaching others and visual and auditory aids, which were reiterated in the learning style quizzes. I am excited how the aid of the community partner will assist my learning but I don’t know exactly how that will work out as of now.
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