Reflection Paper #1

[Ellie Yoon]

The only language I learned at school is Mandarin Chinese. I really enjoyed being able to learn in a class setting with a native Chinese speaking teacher who planned an engaging curriculum. I think the advantages and enjoyment of learning a new language are being able to express something in another language and therefore learning about a new culture. I personally loved my Mandarin class from high school. The teacher used Tom and Jerry as characters to create simple one-page stories for each unit. The story would introduce new vocabulary in addition to a new grammar/sentence structure. This format of learning a new lesson was innovative and engaging. On the first day of a unit, the teacher would read it out loud before the class recited it back together. Following the reading of the passage, the teacher would explain the new grammar and list of important key terms like most language courses. For assignments and projects, I would have to rewrite the story or compile multiple units into one story, with our own personal or fictional details. Sometimes, I would act out the story in skit-form with classmates, which aided in a higher retainment level of information. I think the incorporation of a short story really helped me with understanding the context of certain grammar and usage of words. It also gave the class a lot of practice with speaking and reading comprehension. The reason behind why I enjoyed this style of language learning, I believe, comes from my learning style. From the surveys I completed and from the FIRE model, I am a visual learner with high musical, social, and language intelligence who learn best with an evaluative and factual mix. I learn the best when I am able to not only hear content but see content through a picture, graph, and even PowerPoint slides. I excel more in classes that take time to create a safe and comfortable learning environment that allows for group discussion after a detailed lecture on the facts and content of the subject. Being able to learn through or with music, discuss with others to learn from each other, and write down what I learned are all ways I learn best. When studying for assessments, I always practice similar questions because I like going through the motions of something. I also need to practice saying things out loud while writing it. On the other hand, I disliked learning the same language with a curriculum that was less engaging. For two years, I took an online course for Mandarin. I was lucky enough to study through an online platform with a real-life teacher. However, the course was much unstimulating and therefore felt more tedious. I really think I learn better when I have other classmates to talk to or work with. Not having someone else made the class less inviting. In addition, I was only given worksheet papers for reading, writing and speaking straight from a textbook. Because this class lacked an engaging aspect to it, I never felt as happy or self-satisfied with my work and progress. Looking back, I think about my favorite ways of learning a new language and truly appreciate the components of being able to read through a story, recreate the story, and draw out a storyboard. I hope I can create a course for myself that incorporates the parts of language learning I enjoyed from past experiences to expand my learning activities.