"We should really think of language as our tool for communication. It's our tool to understand each other. And I mean, that's always what the world needs more of. If we don't communicate better, if we don't listen better, then how are we ever going to get anywhere?"
Episode Overview
In this episode, Michelle sits down with her guest, Angela A, to talk about the intersection of language, communication, education, and the future of learning. Angela is a seasoned English instructor who grew up bilingual (Filipino and English) and is currently living in Spain. Throughout the conversation, she highlights the shortcomings of traditional education, and emphasizes the responsibility educators have (specifically those in language instruction) on the lives of their learners. She also touches on her current, ongoing experience learning Spanish and reflects on the potential benefits and limitations of language technology.
Tune in now to listen to her story of personal and professional experiences, and make sure to think about the reflection questions in the end!
Key Themes
Educator Responsibility: Instructors are human and must get comfortable with self-reflection and self-awareness to better serve their learners.
Language as Communication: The importance of understanding language as a tool for true connection, beyond simply repeating phrases.
AI Integration in Education: The gradual acceptance of AI tools like ChatGPT in the classroom to assist with language learning.
Personalized Learning Paths: The idea that learners should take a more individualized approach to language acquisition, using technology when appropriate but also seeking authentic experiences like language exchanges.
Reflection Questions:
What sorts of early life experiences have informed your understanding of the English language? (Feel free to sub in any language, it doesn’t have to be English!)
What are those key events or moments that shaped your perception of the language early on?
What pieces played a role in your early life where you can draw a line to now and say “Okay, I see!”
Bonus: Is there a link between the assumptions you have now with those early life experiences?
Remember: There is NO right or wrong answer with these sorts of questions. But we didn’t just become adults overnight. We have ALL grown from a host of different influences and systems. If we want to better understand the road forward, we often need to pause, and take a look at the road we’ve come from.
Music credit: “Coffee and Herbs” by sunsetflowerray (Pixabay)