ASSIMILATION AND LANGUAGE LEARNING
ARTICLES & BOOKS
LANGUAGE LEARNING STYLES AND STRATEGIES: AN OVERVIEW Rebecca L. Oxford, Ph.D.: Recommended by MTW missionary, Amy Newsome. the author synthesizes research from various parts of the world on two key variables affecting language learning: styles, i.e., the general approaches to learning a language; and strategies, the specific behaviors or thoughts learners use to enhance their language learning. These factors influence the student’s ability to learn in a particular instructional framework.
SOJOURNER'S WORKBOOK: A GUIDE TO THRIVING CROSS-CULTURALLY, Connie Befus, Ph.D.: Recommended by MTW missionaries, Paul & Liz Meiners. "Sojourners are people who venture far from home to live in a foreign place and culture. They have amazing adventures and experience significant fulfillment, but along with the adventure and fulfillment comes a unique set of stressors, losses, and struggles: struggles in understanding a different culture, a new language, a new identity and in figuring out how to balance many demands with legitimate personal needs. Fatigue is a frequent and understandable result. This workbook is designed to help the new sojourner, or an experienced one, to develop personal skills for managing the stress, mourning the losses, and crafting a lifestyle that leads to sojourner health on every level. Throughout each chapter, psychologically based coping skills are integrated with Scriptural truth and spiritual disciplines to provide a foundation for healthy cross-cultural living and effective relationships that last for the long term."
OTHER TOOLS
Kolb's Learning Style Inventory: The Learning Style Inventory is derived from an experiential theory and model of learning developed by
Kolb (1984) and based on the seminal contributions of John Dewey, Kurt Lewin & Jean Piaget. It is a practical self-assessment instrument that can help us assess our unique learning styles, and has the advantage of only taking 30-45 minutes to complete. It tells us our preferred approach to learning in everyday life. Used by Amy Newsome in assisting missionaries discover their best strategies for learning languages.
Kolb (1984) and based on the seminal contributions of John Dewey, Kurt Lewin & Jean Piaget. It is a practical self-assessment instrument that can help us assess our unique learning styles, and has the advantage of only taking 30-45 minutes to complete. It tells us our preferred approach to learning in everyday life. Used by Amy Newsome in assisting missionaries discover their best strategies for learning languages.
The Crucible of the First Term / Understanding and Helping So It Is Not The Last (Recorded Webinar): The First Term missionary has multiple adjustments to make, losses to mourn, an identity to shed and a new identity to learn—all happening amidst high stress. In that process, emotional baggage can surface adding to the confusion. Understanding what happens psychologically and spiritually in the stress and identity crisis of the First Term experience can help those of us who prepare missionaries for the field, those who receive them, or those called in to help. Learn effective preventative and ameliorative interventions to help First Termers so they are effective and their First Term is not their last one." Connie Befus, Ph.D. Requires Missio Nexus account. If you are a missionary with Mission to the World, you have one. If you need help signing in, please contact the Member Care Department.