MB530/630: Language/Culture Learning and Mission (4 units)
Betty Sue Brewster, Associate
Professor of Language and Culture Learning
Summer 2006 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 your choice, will enable
you to develop and refine language learning skills through 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, efficient, and
confident 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.
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: If you
have previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative
text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the instructor.
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: (additional books will be recommended in class)
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. 500-word written interactions 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 1250-word paper on the final writing project.
PREREQUISITES:
None. Auditors/non-credit students are expected to participate fully in the
field-work.
RELATIONSHIP TO
CURRICULUM: Core MAICS course. 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.