Learning to Speak an Unwritten Language

✍ Scribed by Henny Jane Thormoset

• Publisher: SIL International
• Year: 2011
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 46
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This literature review highlights both advantages and challenges for a literate person from
a highly literate society wanting to learn to speak an unwritten minority language. The process is
compared to that of learning a written majority language, such as French. In either case, the
argument is made that adults, having certain advantages over children, can indeed learn to speak
a second language well; a lot of listening should precede a lot of practice speaking, albeit
imperfectly. Also, language learning should be inseparably linked to culture learning in order to
achieve fused language-culture proficiency, for the ultimate purpose of building relationships and
impacting the world.

Some learning styles and strategies are reviewed. A self-directed individualized learning
plan should state an appropriate desired achievement level linked to a specific anticipated use of
the language. The most effective strategies should be used, including at times those least
preferred, if necessary to enhance progress or to take into account the local context's unique
opportunities or challenges. Finally, an argument is made that literate learners can indeed learn to
speak another language from people whose method of communication is predominantly oral.