Language and Culture Learning Plan Workbook



Language and Culture Learning Plan Outline

For (Name) learning (Language)

(Plan dates)

(Note: This outline is for language coaches to use with learners who have taken SIL language and culture field training. It can be adapted for other situations, but learners without prior training may need considerable help.)

Section 1: My Language and Culture Learning Profile

3 Experience with language learning

1 I have studied these languages previously in school:

(Include language name, school name, location, amount of time, and level reached.)

3 I have learned the following languages informally or in self-directed situations:

(Include languages, situation, amount of time, and level reached.)

4 My overall experience with language learning has had the following effect on me:

1. Experience with culture learning

a. I have taken the following course(s), seminars, or studies related to culture learning:

(Include course title, location, and amount of time.)

b. I have experienced immersion learning in the following situation(s):

(Include language, place, and amount of time.)

6 In addition to the above, I’ve experienced cross-cultural living and/or been on mission trips to: (Include language, place, and amount of time.)

7 My overall cross-cultural experience has had the following effect on me:

4 Self assessment as a language and culture learner

1 I would describe my past successes in language learning as:

3 I would describe my aptitude for language learning as:

4 I would describe my willingness to adapt to a new culture as:

5 My feelings in anticipation of future language learning and living and working in another culture are:

7 Personality and learning style preferences

8 My Myers-Briggs type is:

10 I tend to be more (a) social/relational or (b) analytical.

12 According to the Sensory Preference test, I am the following kind of learner: (Circle or highlight the strongest preference and/or explain combinations.)

13 Visual

14 Auditory

15 Tactile

17 On the following scales I measure: (Write “high,” “medium,” or “low”.)

18 ___________ Tolerance of ambiguity

19 ___________ Inhibition

20 ___________ Risk Taking

21 ___________ Ego Permeability

22 ___________ Field independence/dependence

24 I would rate myself: (Indicate H for high/great, M for medium/moderate, or L for low/little.)

25 ___________ Tolerance for making mistakes

26 ___________ Acceptance of being corrected

27 ___________ Sense of humor

29 Taking into account a-e above, my strengths in language and culture learning are/will likely be:

31 Taking into account a-e above, my weaknesses in language and culture learning are/will likely be:

32 How do I react to making mistakes? How bothered am I?

33 How do I react to being corrected? How bothered am I?

34 The way I prefer to be corrected is:

7 Motivations

1 Internal motivators: I want to learn this language because: (List personal reasons.)

3 External motivators: I need to learn this language because: (List outside influences.)

5 Situational needs: I am/will be speaking this language in these kinds of situations

1) at work:

2) In daily life:

7 Time: I estimate I am/will be speaking this language (amount of time) each day.

8 Urgency: I have (amount of time) before I need to speak/use this language.

9 At this moment, my overall motivation to learn this language is: (Circle or highlight one.)

10 very high

11 high

12 medium

13 low

14 very low

16 The reasons for the above rating are: (list influences affecting your motivation)

9 Hopes and dreams

1 Here is what I think my ideal language and culture learning situation would be:

3 Proficiency in this language would allow me to:

Section 2: My Language and Culture Learning Setting

12 Location(s)

1 During the time frame of this plan, I will be living in the following location(s):

(Describe the locations and number of months in each location.)

13 Primary learning method

1 My primary method(s) for doing language learning in these different locations will be: (Circle or highlight all that apply.)

2 Class

3 Language school

4 Tutor

5 Self-directed with language resource person (a.k.a. Nurturer, Language helper)

6 Self-directed with lesson materials

7 Other:

14 Speakers

1 The people from my target language community who are committed to helping me learn the language are: (Include name of person, relationship, and amount of time.)

2 I will interact with speakers in the following kinds of situations:

1 Formal schooling

2 The school or class I am attending/will attend is: (Describe.)

3 The number of hours I am in school is:

4 Class size:

5 My teacher is from: (Indicate country and region.)

6 Description of the curriculum:

7 Type and amount of homework:

17 Cultural considerations

1 My experience so far of the openness of people to teach me their language has been:

2 My experience so far with people from this culture with regards to ease of making friends or joining in social activities where the language is spoken has been:

4 People of this culture display tolerance/intolerance to language mistakes and correct mistakes in the following way(s):

6 I have learned that the teaching styles in this country are similar/different from what I am accustomed to in these ways:

Section 3: My Language and Culture Learning Goals

Short-term and long-term proficiency goals

The proficiency scale I am using is:( ACTFL, FSI, European Framework, Canadian Benchmarks, etc.)

2 My current level is: For Listening:

For Speaking:

For Reading:

For Writing:

7 The level I am aiming for during this planning period is:

For Listening:

For Speaking:

For Reading:

For Writing:

13 My long-term goal is to reach this level:

For Listening:

For Speaking:

For Reading:

For Writing:

19 Skill development

Specific content I need to master during this planning period include: (Circle or highlight the skill or skills that are your highest priority for this plan.)

21 In the area of listening/comprehension:

23 In the area speaking:

25 In the area of reading:

27 In the area of writing:

29 In the area of vocabulary:

31 In the area of grammar:

33 In the area of pronunciation:

35 In the area of conversation skills:

1. Culture goals

36 My long-term goals with regard to social integration are:

38 For this plan, my short-term goals for developing a network of friends and colleagues in the community are:

40 My goals for understanding cultural norms and practices are:

42 Other culture goals for this plan:

Section 4: My Materials, Resources and Other Learning Options

The options I have for learning are:(Place a check beside each option that is available to you)

Language class

Online course with teacher

Language school

Private tutor

Paid or volunteer language helper (LRP)

Study abroad

Home stay

Social club or group

Work place with language immersion

Informal contacts

TV, Satellite TV

Radio

Newspaper and/or magazines

Easy reading or listening materials for beginners

Movies

Songs

Podcasts and other audio recordings

Textbooks

Computer-based CD/DVD programs

Facebook, social media, language exchange

Grammar book

Dictionary

Children’s educational materials

Literature, histories, and cultural stories

Flashcards

Cultural articles and books

Other:

21 Additional tools

22 I am using the following player/recording device(s) for recording and listening:

23 I am using/will learn to use the following audio editing software:

(Audacity, WavePad, Speech Analyzer, etc.)

24 I am keeping track of new vocabulary and expressions in: (data notebook, computer program, etc.)

25 I am recording cultural observations in: (a journal, computer program, etc.)

26 My sources for cultural pictures for language learning are:

27 My favorite language and culture websites are:

29 Budget for language and culture learning

30 I have budgeted for the following language and culture learning expenses:

Section 5: My Schedule for Language Learning

1. Monthly schedule

|Month |List of major activities I will be engaging in: |

|January | |

|February | |

|March | |

|April | |

|May | |

|June | |

|July | |

|August | |

|September | |

|October | |

|November | |

|December | |

(You may prefer to switch columns and rows to create a horizontal calendar with vertical

list of topics.)

39 Weekly/daily timetable

|Activity |Mon. |

|name | |

|Talk to people on bus and in shops |30 min/wk |

|Read news articles |30 min/wk |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

(Copy or add new charts for activities for additional locations and dates.)

Section 6: Checking Progress and Maintaining Motivation

46 Formal and informal testing

I am required/have the option to take the following test to ascertain my proficiency level: (Include test name and date.)

2 I will use the following self-assessment instruments to assess my level at the end of this plan:

4 Other ways I will check my progress include:

48 Reporting

1 I have agreed with my supervisor to report on my language-learning activities and progress in the following way:

3 Frequency of reporting:

49 Support team

2 The following people have agreed to help me reach my language-learning goals:

i. other learners like myself: (language-learning partner, buddy, spouse, or team)

ii. national friends:

iii. a language-learning coach or consultant:

iv. home support group: (friends, family, church group, etc.)

v. teacher(s):

8 This plan has been reviewed and accepted by my supervisor: (Name) .

50 Rewards

If I reach my goals, I will reward myself in the following way:

53 Plan renewal date

I will review and renew this plan on (Date) with (Name) .

PLAN REVIEW

Note: This section is to be completed at the end of the planning period/start of the next period.

Section 7. Evaluation of Current Plan

In reviewing this plan for the past period, I see that I have learned the following:

My plan was: (Circle or highlight one and explain why.)

i. Realistic

ii. Overly ambitious

iii. Not challenging enough

Did I accomplish what I hoped?

I feel my progress is:

Here’s what worked in my plan:

Here’s what didn’t work:

I will make these changes to my next plan:

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