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How and why do we learn languages considered difficult? What’s the ‘best’ way of learning? On Friday we had a fun session @foreignoffice on this. I’m fortunate to have worked with some exceptionally gifted language speakers; @poppyempson @dmstansbury to name two. (1/5)
Some non-expert reflections on my journey: (i) Believe you can do it. Continually deflect cynicism that you’ll fail. If you aren’t a ‘natural’, belligerence will help. After multiple failures, here I proudly present my beginners Amiyah test pass to the local butcher (2015) (2/5)
(ii) Loose your inhibitions. It’s fine to sound odd for a few weeks/months as you get used to trying new and different sounds. People generally want to help you (certainly in Jordan), as this lovely, patient shopkeeper did with me (3/5)
(iii) Find the way that works for you. Our brains approach language learning differently. Learning (genuinely useful) word lists and working on a market stall where no one understood English was my way. It was lonely but immersion worked (4/5)
(iv) See language as the only way to truly live and breath a culture and respect for it. I was amazed by how receptive people were even for just trying. Be creative and adventurous. Bi tawfeeq/good luck! And enjoy this Syrian wedding Zaffeh (5/5)
