Last year, I had the privilege of visiting Malaysia for 3 days and 2 nights. I got off the airplane, got on a bus, went to a hotel, sat in continuous meetings, slept, got back on a bus, went back to the airport, and flew home. And, although the meeting was very uplifting, I did not see any of Malaysia.
But, this time, I was in Malaysia for 17 days. It was very hard to be away from Jack and Esther. You all know we are a very tight family. In fact, we thought about it alot. I have not been away alone (except for the three day trip to Malaysia last year) for 16 years. If I've gone anywhere, it was always with Jack or one/both of the girls. (I guess it was time.) So, a friend and I spent one day before the training touring the significant sights of Kuala Lumpur. They have a great deal with a tour bus that you can hop-on-hop-off all day and see LOTS of the city!
Then, we left the city and drove west to the ocean to a local camp. The camp was semi-rustic with bunk beds, community showers, lots of rice/curry, and intermittent internet service. But, it did have air-conditioning, hot water, and was located right next to the ocean. BEAUTIFUL! During the intensive seminar, I was trained "how" to learn a language and "how" to help others learn a language. Most people learn a language from a textbook in a classroom, with many students and one teacher. Because of this method, they focus alot on grammar rules, pronunciation rules, writing, repeating, etc., and most do not have much time to practice spontaneous conversations. (Remember your Spanish classes in high school?) The approach I learned in Malaysia focuses mostly on listening ALOT and quickly starting to speak, even though your grammar and pronunciation might be awful at first. And, it focuses on remaining a life-long learner of the language and the host culture. Jack and I are currently using this new approach, and we feel it has reduced our stress-level about language learning tremendously. Now, I will be able to "coach" others in this new approach.
The group did take one Saturday off to tour a little more of Malaysia. We attended a cultural dance performance. The dancers, the music, and the costumes were so beautiful.
We also visited a nearby "historical" and "tourist" town. It was fun to be outdoors enjoying the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of a competely different country. I learned alot from the training, I had LOTS of time to reflect on our past few years in East Asia, I enjoyed a new culture, and I made some dear friends from all over the world. (But, I must say, it is great to be back home on our little island with Jack and Esther doing what we love the most, sharing HIStory with all we meet!)
But, this time, I was in Malaysia for 17 days. It was very hard to be away from Jack and Esther. You all know we are a very tight family. In fact, we thought about it alot. I have not been away alone (except for the three day trip to Malaysia last year) for 16 years. If I've gone anywhere, it was always with Jack or one/both of the girls. (I guess it was time.) So, a friend and I spent one day before the training touring the significant sights of Kuala Lumpur. They have a great deal with a tour bus that you can hop-on-hop-off all day and see LOTS of the city!
Then, we left the city and drove west to the ocean to a local camp. The camp was semi-rustic with bunk beds, community showers, lots of rice/curry, and intermittent internet service. But, it did have air-conditioning, hot water, and was located right next to the ocean. BEAUTIFUL! During the intensive seminar, I was trained "how" to learn a language and "how" to help others learn a language. Most people learn a language from a textbook in a classroom, with many students and one teacher. Because of this method, they focus alot on grammar rules, pronunciation rules, writing, repeating, etc., and most do not have much time to practice spontaneous conversations. (Remember your Spanish classes in high school?) The approach I learned in Malaysia focuses mostly on listening ALOT and quickly starting to speak, even though your grammar and pronunciation might be awful at first. And, it focuses on remaining a life-long learner of the language and the host culture. Jack and I are currently using this new approach, and we feel it has reduced our stress-level about language learning tremendously. Now, I will be able to "coach" others in this new approach.
The group did take one Saturday off to tour a little more of Malaysia. We attended a cultural dance performance. The dancers, the music, and the costumes were so beautiful.
We also visited a nearby "historical" and "tourist" town. It was fun to be outdoors enjoying the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of a competely different country. I learned alot from the training, I had LOTS of time to reflect on our past few years in East Asia, I enjoyed a new culture, and I made some dear friends from all over the world. (But, I must say, it is great to be back home on our little island with Jack and Esther doing what we love the most, sharing HIStory with all we meet!)
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