Learning Journal #3 Cultural Dimensions

I think Cultural Dimensions are interesting especially their connection with someones ability to learn a language. If my interpretation of Cultural Dimensions it means ones surroundings and facilities while learning a language. I take this further and split this into two different categories, native speakers and non native.

When thinking of cultural dimensions pertaining to a native speaker it is pretty easy to see. They are fully immersed in the language from birth and that is the only language that they are able to communicate with. It is also a language that is taught formally or informally at some point in their young lives.

However non native speakers the dimensions of language learning are often significantly different and it shows in their ability to pick up another language. Most of the time a second language is taught at a middle school level (United States) however students are only in class for a short portion of the day and are not able to continue practicing outside of class. This makes it incredibly hard to become fluent in another language. The many dimensions of an American student learning a different language are vast. For instance a first generation American could grow up learning English in school however come home and speak a different language with parents or family. When that student goes to study that particular language in school they are at an advantage since they can practice more than a student without cultural ties. Without these cultural ties the language is often hard to connect to and thus disheartening to the learner.

I feel as though cultural dimensions of language learning are an integral part of learning a language and without ties to the culture you hope to learn the language of it is hard to become immersed without feeling disheartened.

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