Language learning made easier

Learning a new language is often the first priority for Redcliffe graduates as they begin their work overseas. It can also be one of the most difficult and frustrating aspects of their new ministry. To help prepare students for the challenges ahead, Redcliffe recently invited Wycliffe Bible Translators to give a seminar on 'language acquisition'.

The session was very well attended and gave students a unique opportunity to learn about learning languages. It was led by a Wycliffe missionary with significant cross-cultural and language experience. "The main thing I wanted to get across," he said, "is that you need to take control of your language learning, rather than sitting back and leaving it to your language-school or organisation. I also hope that students went away thinking that language acquisition can be fun, and that it is actually not too hard in most circumstances, as long as folk get into the culture and start developing good social networks."

Kate, a student who attended the session, found it really helpful: "It gave lots of useful tips not just for learning enough language to survive in a country but how to go about learning one for a longer period of time. It was really insightful over the ways different people learn and really encouraging that it's possible for anyone to learn a language."

The seminar is just one example of the value Redcliffe places on partnership in mission. As Rosemary Foster, who teaches on Redcliffe's Living and Working Cross-Culturally module, puts it, "it was a privilege for our students to have input from such an expert in the field of language acquisition."