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Language Hunters

 Language Learning Forum : Learning Techniques, Methods & Strategies Post Reply
11 messages over 2 pages: 1


Iversen
Super Polyglot
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Denmark
berejst.dk
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9078 posts - 16473 votes 
Speaks: Danish*, French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Esperanto, Romanian, Catalan
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 Message 9 of 11
22 March 2012 at 12:38pm | IP Logged 
There is one thing in this method which must be hard for budding native teachers, namely to invent a consistent and stable inventory of movements. And in my opinion this is as difficult as learning for instance to use a certain wordlist format or recognizing the main parts of a simple sentence.

I do recognize that there are endangered languages out there where good dictionaries and grammars are lacking (or irrelevant because they where written by linguists for linguists), and as a teacher then you may have to use a method based solely on objects around you - but this is not an optimal situation for anybody.

Language hunting may actually be the nearest thing to 'learning as a child' for an adult learner (including the observation that most parents aren't educated teachers or linguists), but I don't see that as a goal in itself. In my opinion it is silly not to supplement the simple teacher-pupil setup with studies of grammars, dictionaries and written texts from the beginning. I don't expect the language hunters to deliver everything you need to learn languages so this is not a criticism of their contribution, just a warning against believing that they can give you everything.

As I wrote above I actually think that the use of associated body movements may help you to memorize and later recall words and expressions, and echoing a native teacher is also an old and well tested technique (I know that profArguelles finds it less efficient than simultaneous shadowing, but my personal wiring is such that I stop listening when I speak) .. and the idea about producing 'bare foot teachers' to teach endangered languages is extremely laudable. But I can still only accept the techniques at this site as part of the learning process because they leave out (or postpone) a lot of other elements.


Edited by Iversen on 22 March 2012 at 12:40pm

2 persons have voted this message useful



iguanamon
Pentaglot
Senior Member
Virgin Islands
Speaks: Ladino
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2237 posts - 6731 votes 
Speaks: English*, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Creole (French)

 
 Message 10 of 11
26 March 2012 at 9:40pm | IP Logged 
In case anyone is interested,here is a direct link to the 8 and a half minute video that introduces the language hunters and their process: Language Hunters Video

Edited by iguanamon on 26 March 2012 at 9:41pm

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strickvl
Bilingual Tetraglot
Pro Member
Jordan
alexstrick.comRegistered users can see my Skype Name
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27 posts - 41 votes
Speaks: English*, Dutch*, Arabic (Written), Arabic (Levantine)
Studies: Persian, Pashto, Dari
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 Message 11 of 11
11 February 2013 at 2:43pm | IP Logged 
Just came across this. Very intrigued. Will buy and read the book to learn more.


1 person has voted this message useful



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