From: Daniel L. Christiansen (dlc@MULTNOMAH.EDU)
Date: Mon Nov 27 2000 - 17:06:43 EST
yochanan bitan-buth wrote [snipped]:
> A couple of points:
> 1. this is getting to the heart of pedagogy questions.
> It is very important to consider what you are trying to do.
> Do you want to learn a language?
> To think in it?
> To process communication fluently in it?
Yes, Randall, I think that is exactly the kind of question one needs to
address.
> If so, then some of the memory techniques mentioned above are probably
> off-target and not recommended, for example, when learning modern
> languages. You want words 'wired' to other words within the target
> language, not to another language and trick phrases.
I agree. Languages are self-contained systems (I can see this opening up
another can of linguistic worms....) and thus I feel should be learned as
entities in their own right, not as translations or connections to other
languages.
> 2. There is something of an internal contradiction in Daniel's methods. The
> Lyle Storey approach is a 'memory trick technique' that would fit those
> kinds that tend to be neglected by modern language teachers, by choice.
I left something out of my post, and Randall picked right up on it (quick
minds and eyes on B-Greek!) I agree that Story's approach fits well within the
system I am arguing against. This is why, even though one of the schools at
which I teach uses Story, I do not use it at the school where I have the
option of using whatever text/method I choose.
I don't deny that the method is valuable--yes it works. I just don't
think it is best for the long-range goals of getting students to eventually
"think in Greek." Of course, that will get us into another thread, which we
have dealt with numerous times.
> a bottom line would be to ask oneself,
> does the technique feel natural,
> does it lead you inside the language or is it something designed to allow
> you to stay outside, in another language?
Yes, and this may be something that cannot be answered at the 1st-, 2nd-,
3rd-year level, as the student will not have enough exposure in any case to
"get inside" the language.
Daniel
--
Daniel L. Christiansen
Professor of Biblical Languages, Portland Bible College
Adjunct Professor, Bible Department, Multnomah Bible College
(503) 820-0231
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