Charlotte Mason and foreign language

Charlotte Mason and foreign language (part 3)

Presenting the subject matter to children in a comprehensive way in order to elicit the desired actions and/or thought is a difficult task. If we give children pure French sentences and ask them to do actions that would demonstrate these sentences or ask them to think upon these actions, they would tire of such an exercise quickly! As Charlotte Mason is famous for saying, "Don't bore children with twaddle!" Mr. Gouin suggested using the native language as a means for bridging to the desired language. In this way the comprehension is retained, yet new language is learned. Translating this theory into a lesson we would describe our scene, yet interject foreign language words, thus giving comprehension and new learning.

This bridge also gives the student permission to use words and phrases in the context in which they are taught. It shows them how to integrate the French language into their world. On page 74, Monsieur Gouin states, "To learn a given language is to translate into this language the whole of our individuality." He did not say translate sentences, but translate the whole of your individuality. The translation of our actions, manner and culture into that language is the key in understanding how the language works and how we work in that language.

Many curriculums do not include the culture of the language. This is a grave error in that the whole of the person is expressed through the language. If you do not understand the people, you will not understand how to speak in that language. For example, the French are very particular in their distinction between acquaintance and friend. Their language and the manner in which they express themselves, both verbally and in writing, reflect this. Missionaries know this fact all too well. It has been the deciding factor of salvation or damnation in many peoples.

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note: this is part 3 of 10. Have you read Part 1?

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