Incredible

I have been thinking about something over the past 2-3 days: I see a relationship between the geometrical shapes --the base they give to drawing -- and feature in language learning that plays a similar role to these geometric shapes.

Lesson 16

Weary Warrior

It seems that, contrary to the first idea that formal language education might suggest, the basic 'shapes' in language learning are meaning units. These are more basic even than sounds, and words and structure of the words. We map these later onto meaning, as we map details onto shapes. Sometimes, the details change alter the shapes, and the form of languages shapes meaning.

Meaning Related to Motivation 

I listened to a polyglot speaker, Judith Meyer yesterday (Podcast in ITunes, in The Fluent Show: Ultramarathon for the Brain). She spoke of being motivated in her overall language learning - not for reasons (economic or survival), but just as an excuse. Just for the heck of it.

She added that to motivate her in a day-to-day sense to spend the time necessary, she needs goals--short term tasks that she wants to achieve: understand enough to follow a certain sitcom, chat a little with a person she will meet in his first language even though they could talk in English, read certain types of books, greet, order food, ask directions in a new country she will visit, etc.  When she focuses on meanings she wants to communicate or understand, the work of language learning follows organically, naturally.

Personal Example of the Motivation of Language-Learning that Grows out of My Desire for Meaning

This has always been my experience. Today, I followed a trail on the Internet and ended up with a list of 10 TED Talks in Spanish. I looked through them and chose a subject dear to my heart: how creativity impacts wellness (Onto Creatividad - Cauhtli Arau Mendez).  I could scarcely believe my ears!!!  I followed the whole talk!  I was even inspired by his ideas. Take a short listen to see the difficulty level.  Me, who has just returned 3 books and an audio book in Spanish to the library this week when I found them much above 'my level'. I realized again that perhaps more than or at least as important as the level was, none of these items had a theme that was close to my heart. I had no emotional buy-in to the ideas they contained.

I find the affirmation that -for me- meaning need to continue to lead my language learning powerful. Powerful.

I feel I could kick up my heels in joy.