Reflections on My Language Partner Meetings

[Lily Hazelton]

I really enjoyed working with Shir this semester as I learned Hebrew. working with a language partner was definitely the most helpful aspect while learning this language. The materials available at the Global Studio were not that helpful to me. I found that by working with a language partner, picking topics to talk about, and creating vocabulary lists relevant to these topics I was able to learn more , and learn more efficiently. Shir was also helpful with grammatical and usage corrections, which much of the time I am a stickler for. a book or computer program can't really fix the way you are speaking, the pronunciation, or the wrong tense or gender of the word the way a human can, because they do not realize that you are making a mistake, or that you intended to say something different. Also, when talking with a person face to face, I feel that I process language differently. I search for the words I know in order to say something, because I am responding to someone's comment or question then work of their answers to gain new vocabulary, whereas with a book you can look up new words and figure out what you want to say. But, with a book these words will not stick as well, because you are not reusing them or actively associating them with conversation, statements, and as parts of your vocabulary. I found having a language partner the most useful tool available as part of the self-directed languages.