MB530: Language/Culture Learning and Mission (4 units)
Betty Sue Brewster, Associate Professor of
Language and Culture Learning
Summer 2005 Pasadena
DESCRIPTION:
Normal language acquisition is social, not simply academic. The course
deals with language acquisition issues and effective ministry in the context of
community learning relationships. Field-work, in an ethnic community of the
learner's choice, will enable you to develop and refine language learning
skills through the use of a learning-cycle strategy. The primary objective is
to equip learners with attitudes and skills needed for learning a new language
in the context of maximum-involvement relationships (with or without the
benefit of a language school). This course is particularly useful for prospective
missionaries and for pastors ministering in ethnically complex urban
neighborhoods. It is strongly recommended
that couples take this course TOGETHER!
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
· Preparation to be an effective
and efficient language learner,
· Sensitivity to issues involved in
incarnational learning and ministry
· Skill in the process of learning a language
through relationships
· Ability to hear, identify, and make new sounds
· Competence in using a variety of techniques
for developing comprehension, fluency, and accuracy .
· Confidence in language learning
COURSE FORMAT:
Instruction in language learning and missiological attitudes, skills,
methodology, and strategy; training in introductory phonetics; group discussion
and feedback on field-work and readings. Class begins on Saturday and
meets daily for two weeks.
REQUIRED READING:
Brewster and Brewster. LEARN!
Syllabus. Lingua House. Pasadena: Lingua House, 1984.
________. (LAMP) Language Acquisition
Made Practical. Pasadena: Lingua House, 1976.
________. (PAL ) Pronunciation Activities
for Language Learners. Pasadena: Lingua House, 1985.
________. (ed.) Community is My Language
Classroom! Pasadena, Lingua House, 1986.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Asher, James. Learning Another
Language Through Actions. Los Gatos, CA: Sky Oaks, 1982.
Larson, Donald. Guidelines for Barefoot
Language Learning. St. Paul, Minnesota: CMS, 1984.
Lingua Links Library 4 (CD
Windows/Mac) from SIL http://www.ethnologue.com/LL_docs/contents.asp
Marshall, Terry. Whole World Guide to
Language Learning. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 1989.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Scouting and four field experiences in the context of relationships
in the ethnic community of the learner’s choice, to gain experience in using
the language learning cycle.
2. One in-class quiz to demonstrate understanding of the methodology.
3. Two-page reading reports on each of the readings.
4. Prepare a fluency tape to demonstrate development of skills in taping.
5. A paper to project the learner’s personal learning opportunity and strategy.
6. In lieu of a final exam, each learner will say in class the material learned
in field-work.
Th.M: Greater
analytical depth in writing assignments. In addition, choose one of these:
1. Complete one additional learning cycle.
2. Read 150 extra pages from recommended readings and write a reading report.
3. Write an additional five pages on the final writing project.
PREREQUISITES: None. Auditors/non-credit students are expected to
participate fully in the field-work.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets Min 8
requirement for M.Div. Program. Meets CCS requirement for M.Div. Program. Meets
Globalization requirement for M.A. Theology Program. Meet GLBL requirement for
Master of Arts in Worship, Theology, and the Arts. Meet Multicultural requirement
for Maters of Arts in Theology, Theology and the Arts.
FINAL EXAM: None.