Elliott Hammer
MLC 105
When I started my autonomous/self-directed language learning journey I was unorganized and was set in my old habits of language learning. Although some of my habits were beneficial, I needed to, and did adapt to learning a foreign language autonomously and not in the country in which it is spoken. This adaptation consisted of more studying and organized activities.
Through the topics discussed in the classroom and through the articles that we, the students, read in MLC 105, I feel that we developed our skills as observers of other cultures. For example, the activity about Collectivism v Individualism helped me to broaden my understanding of Israel as well as of Iran and Turkey. Our cultural discussions in class helped to augment my skills as an observer of culture.
I found the language learning partner to be the most helpful resource. Haya was always approachable and helpful when I had questions. I tried out the Rosetta Stone once but I don't think I gave it enough of a chance. Next semester I'm going to try and use it more. I think it will be good for practicing. To learn new words and phrases I recited and wrote them down (in transliteration) many times. I also had to use them in sentences and conversation with Haya to put them in my long term memory. To learn grammatical structures I would take a sentence I knew how to say and practice changing it from masculine to feminine and vis versa, from singular to plural and vis versa, and from "you" to "me" to "we" etc.
I was very comfortable with the "self-directed" study. I enjoyed being given the freedom to choose how I organize my studying and to cater to my own learning styles. I sometimes wish that my other classes incorporated some more independent learning. I feel that being "self-directed" made me feel in charge of my goals and priorities which made me more motivated to learn because I had a goal that was pertinent to my personal goals. The fact that my studies had immediate practical uses for me was also a great motivator. My reason for learning Hebrew comes from my desire to communicate with my family members in Israel, which was a goal towards which I could immediately see progress.
I discovered several things about myself as a language learner. I discovered that I have a knack for pronunciation. I also discovered that I have a hard time memorizing individual words, but remember phrases quite well. There were also a few things that I already knew about myself as a language learner that were apparent to me in this experience. I am naturally unorganized so there is a need to organize myself and set goals.
I will definitely continue to use the strategies, activities, and approaches I have learned this semester. I will continue to use my vocabulary list as a motivational tool. I will, of course, use my language partner as a resource next semester. I will try and find more YouTube videos to use in order to practice my listening skills. I think that next semester I will try to incorporate the tools in the global studio more often. I will start using the Rosetta Stone regularly.
I think that the most crucial factor in becoming a truly "self-directed" language learner is organization and motivation. Setting specific goals is important. All activities and studying should be tailored to achieve those goals. Learning techniques should be flexible as goals change and become more realistic. There is usually a tendency to set lofty goals at the beginning. Another factor is to engage the language in some way, however small, every day. Even if this means, on an off day, counting to x number in your head and reciting the alphabet or some simple sentences, or watching a short 5 minute video. I think it is important, especially when you are not in the country in which the language is spoken, to artificially surround yourself with the language as much as is realistically possible. Tracking progress in some sort of tangible way is also important. That is the reason that I used a vocabulary list. Also, it is important to understand that when learning a language there are times when parts of the learning process will plateau for a while and not to become discouraged.
My cultural project helped me to understand collectivist attitudes and perspectives in Israel. I was able to relate to my research of Kibbutzim because I have direct experience in a Kibbutz and relatives from a Kibbutz. The cultural projects of other students also helped me to relate to the products and practices of other cultures. The presentation on traditional clothing in the Middle East helped me to understand how what you wear can be political, and is political in the Middle Eastern cultures. The presentation on soccer in Turkey helped me to understand the significance of the sport in Turkey, as well as in the rest of the world. The presentations on Jewish women helped me to better comprehend gender roles in Judaism and in Israel.
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