I know it’s been a long time since I’ve written a blog. For those of you who only read my blogs and don’t get my email updates, email me and I’ll put you on that list. I tend to send out those updates more frequently.
“Growing Participator”
Here at the Summer Institute of Linguistics, I’m enrolled in a second language acquisition class. This class uses a method called the “growing participator approach.” This approach basically implies that language learning is a process of community, not individuality. It’s more about interaction and less about reading a textbook. I’ve really enjoyed learning about this and practicing it in the lab – learning Hindi. Each day we meet with a native speaker (aka language nurturer) and do various activities for learning. We record bits of each 1-hour session and listen to the recordings before the next session.
“Grammar Noticing”
Each Friday, we’re supposed to write up a paragraph or so regarding some specific things we’ve noticed about the grammar. However, it’s supposed to be informal and not over-analyzed. Last night as I was listening to the recordings, I was spending too much time trying to analyze the grammar and not enjoying the process of reliving the session experience.
The Will of God
Last night, after listening to the recordings, I went to bed. As I was drifting off to sleep, the same tension in my head from “cracking the code” of Hindi (I’m sure it’s much simpler than I’m making it) carried over into “cracking the code” of the will of God for my life. I was half-asleep and wrestling with questions of what God’s will might be for me much further down the road. I fell asleep, knowing that I would meet the subject in prayer this morning.
Interaction or Analysis?
As I was praying this morning, God clearly revealed to me the tie between His voice and the voice of our Hindi nurturer. As I was working on the language, I kept listening to one or two lines over and over again, trying to figure it out. This morning, God reminded me: The directive is much better-understood by interaction with the speaker than by analysis of a single line.
So now, I will cease trying to “figure out” God’s future plans for me by analyzing the things He’s already spoken to my heart. Instead, I will continue to listen to His voice and interact with Him. He’ll continue to give directions and in time, all will be clear.