Language Lesson Sample

Many of you have been asking us how our language studies are going; how we are learning language; what the kids are doing. Well, there is a long answer, but I will try to make it short.


We are all doing well. Of course, we are tired and frustrated at times, but I think we are making progress. "yavas, yavas" they say...."slowly, slowly" We are taking one day at a time.


We are not in a traditional class/learning program. We are doing something called the Growing Participators Approach. It is a little like the Barefoot Approach in that a person is immersed in the language, but it is not totally student lead like Barefoot. We have a language coach and a language nurturer. The coach speaks English and the native language. He directs the sessions and lessons. He is only with us 1-2 days a week, but gives the nurturer a copy of our lessons in the native language and us a copy in English. Our nurturer is a native speaker only. He is in our home for 4 hours every morning. (5 days a week)


This approach looks at language from the perspective of how a person naturally learns language: Listen and Respond; Verbally Respond; Read Language; Write Language. There are 6 phases to the program. It will take us from a year and a half to two years to make it through the program. This first phase is only 6 weeks and the focus is cramming in vocabulary. (grammar, etc. are thrown in, but not the focus) We are also learning culture along with language. This is a HUGE part of living in a country and key to developing relationships.


Most days, several times a day, we play a game called "The Dirty Dozen" introducing new vocabulary. The nurturer puts an object/picture on the table and says the name. The students have to point to the object when it is called. We are given 12-25 things in each session. We record the vocabulary/games and parts of the sessions so that we can review later. Verbs are introduced along the way and we are given instructions with the new nouns....put the corn on the table; put the eggplant on the floor; hold the apple; squeeze the fork; where is the grandmother....etc. etc.


I uploaded a random video of one of our sessions. It is not really a fun video because I cannot upload large files, and I also cannot show faces of people outside of our family. However, it will allow you to hear the language and get a feel for some of the instruction.


The kids are doing great. They have their moments like everyone else, but it is a great approach for them because it is interactive. They are not required to "be at the table" with us all the time. They are listening on the couches while they play with blocks/look at books, etc. However, the adults are heading to the next phase, so please pray that we are able to find a nurturer for the kids ASAP. Children need to move more slowly through phase one depending on their age...more like 6 months for our kids. We would like someone to come to our home at the same time as our lessons so that our family is still learning together and able to move through all the rest of the things that have to be accomplished in a day. (math lessons, English/language arts, cooking, cleaning, etc. etc. )


Well, God is good and where He calls He equips...RIGHT! Thank you for your prayers!! AT

Stepping Out on the Ledge

I think that most of us would agree that it is one thing to say you are going to do something and a totally different ball game to actually step out on the ledge. Today, I find myself on a ledge of sorts. It is the ledge of learning a new language. It came to me as I held Grace to look out our Salon window....I have not been joyfully fully surrendered to go out on the ledge.

Grace is my free spirit child. She is full of emotion, full of energy and full of trust! (a little too much of those things at times, but a healthy child indeed!) Grace loves to look out our front windows. She likes to imagine herself on the ocean, in the park, swimming at the hotel and sometimes even at the orphan home across the street. I never know what that child is going to say! However, we both know this....we are 5 stories up and there are serious consequences for anyone that dares to take her heals off the floor. This fact being crystal clear in everyone's mind; she asks me many times during the day to hold her so she can feel the breeze and get a good look. I gladly oblige; loving to watch her and also keeping curiosity from creeping in on her. : )

She has such joy in her heart. She throws her arms up, closes her eyes and just smiles. She is at total peace...no worries in the world. It is not that she is not aware of the dangers. We've spoken a great deal of them. She has even had the heartache of loosing her favorite headband; however, she has great happiness and trust in my arms. She knows I will never let go of her and that I would never allow her to do something where she would be harmed.

Why do I struggle to trust the same things from the Father? I know that He has brought me here. I know that He has not asked me to do something that I cannot do.

We transition tomorrow into the speaking phase of language learning. During this first half of phase 1, we have only been required to listen....filling our "iceberg" with sounds, vocabulary, etc. Now, I have to step out of my comfort zone.

Out on the ledge...yes, I am going to fail. I know everyone says, "You have to speak a new language bad before you can speak it well." but honestly it is just so intimidating. I know I will pronounce things wrong; call someone something terrible; and look like a ninny....well, maybe I've done all those things in my own language already! : )

SO, I'm stepping out, leaning forward, putting my arms up, and trusting! Here we go...I feel the breeze!

AT

Allowance

I did not intend to make a blog out of this, but since it would not send via email to the grandparents, I am posting it for them. We have decided to give the kids a weekly allowance. We are hoping to teach them good stewardship, giving, saving, etc. It is a hard task when our kids are given sweets, flowers, etc. by many of the shop owners and vendors. The kids walk v...e..r..y...s...l...o...w...l...y in front of choice stores. AND I guess they have to go through the spending poorly phase first....that is all they can think about right now.

Well, I take that back, William has his eye set on getting a special knife, so he is only spending half and talking about saving....we'll see. He also is my giving child, so he has already offered to by the groceries this week....very sweet. Grace has been saving her birthday money. She has been eyeing the Barbie items. Toys are VERY expensive here. She was able to buy what she wanted with 2 weeks allowance and all her money from grandparents.

If you have allowance suggestions, please comment. We do not want this to be something that the kids think that they are owed. We highly value our family as a team. We just want them to learn to handle money. They can get more if they do "special" jobs, etc. Anyway, here it is....silly videos...AT

Forever Changed!

I lived six years in the beautiful state of Mississippi. There are some things like drinking sweet tea that didn't take hold of me, but there are so many other things that are rooted deep. #1 Vocabulary - Matt always makes fun of the way I say, daddy..."diddy" or ruined...."rurnt" #2 Love for boiled peanuts and cooked greens - gross, I know, but somehow good and finally #3 a passion for the Lord and deep love of Gospel Music! If you are on the blog right now, turn on your speakers and listen to Kirk Franklin's, "Something About The Name Jesus" The name of Jesus is powerful. Speak it! Proclaim it! No one is watching you right now....go ahead and lift your hands and praise HIM!
Worshiping Today,
AT

Crazy Kids!

I know Grace is a little big to still be sucking her thumb and longing after "yellow blankie", but with all the transitions over the last 3 years it is just not something we have even addressed....

From the time she was able to crawl/walk she would pine after "yellow blankie" and "kiddy" on laundry day. She always wanted to know when they will "be out". Well, now that we do not have a dryer, the question is..."Are they still wet?" Yesterday, I was not thinking and hung them just outside her bedroom window. I laughed so hard when I found her hanging out the window "lovin" on blankie....I just had to take a picture.

Not to leave William out of the cute pictures.... While living in VA, his teacher suggested that we find him a "quite time" place to retreat to when he feels a little stressed from a new culture and language. We found this wonderful "bean bag" chair. He LOVES it. I often find him snuggled down with a book. What a sweetheart!

Bragging On My Kids Again,

AT

We have an AC in the Salon!!

On our one month anniversary, a long time mentor of ours was in town and we were able to journey north on the bus about 2 hours to meet for dinner and a little sight seeing. It was a wonderful experience and a good night away. He blessed us not only with the evening, but with a gift from himself and friends - money to help with an AC! We were then told the next day that the fellowship of another dear mentor of ours collected funds to help with the AC - Our God is so good! With all the money combined, we will be able to fully purchase a unit for our Salon (Living Room/Dinning Room); pay to have it installed properly (there is a part that goes outside and we are on the 5th floor!); pay an electrician to rewire for the new capacity; and have a pipe run outside so that water won't damage the building. Long story - but as you can see it seems that everything is like this - a little more complicated than it may originally seem! But - we are SUPER excited and truly God knows all the expenses and takes care of everything. Praise Him!!

Grace (& William some) has been suffering with heat rash. I had no idea heat rash was so itchy and irritating. We have been keeping her dry and covered in powder and A&D ointment, but nothing helps. Her whole body is a fine rash besides the parts that are just whelps from scratching. She is a trooper and rarely complains. (not that I would blame her!) The kids are sleeping in the salon so we are hoping to see improvement soon!

Trusting HIM in all things, AT

My "Automatic" Ice Maker

I just love new inventions! Thank you Arcelik for making my life so much easier. ; ) AT