I really enjoyed taking the Fire Model for Integrative Thinking. It is always good to give form to knowledge. So though I have been a student, a learner all my life, I may have not taken time to think of how I most optimally learn. In the model, I answered all seven sections with either Intuitive or Rational descriptions. I most closely identified with the Rational descriptions, choosing the Rational column 5 out of 7 times.
Generally speaking, I am most successful at learning a new language when I have a personal connection and emotional investment in learning the language. I love language not for grammar rules and the academic nuts and bolts of linguistics. I love languages because they enable me to communicate with people who I love. For this reason, I have not flourished in language learning in a classroom setting, though I have succeeded when looking merely at the superficial indicator of a grade. I do best with relational learning. For example, my spanish does the best when I am hanging out with friends, playing soccer, or teaching ESL at RRIS. I was able to pick up phrases and patterns in Hindi and Punjabi by just living with dear friends in Punjab, India.
For this reason, I am looking forward to going to Morocco next semester. I hope to be able to become conversational in Arabic by merely being immersed in the community.
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