Saturday, January 26, 2008

Peace Corps Nominee Toolkit Learning Resources

A section of the PC Nominee Toolkit includes Learning Recources to help you prepare for PC service:

"It may be a while before you depart for your country of service, but that doesn't mean that you can't start preparing right now! In the coming months, Peace Corps will be adding a series of online training activities to My Toolkit that will help you help yourself get ready for your Volunteer experience. Two new activities are now available to you. The first delves into the different ways in which you can learn new languages. The second explores the various roles that Volunteers can play in different situations. You will also note that we have added a new online journal that will help you reflect on the new things you are learning about Peace Corps as you move through the activities."

So, I decided to share some of the activites here. The 1st activity is about Nelson Mandela and language. I have posted the questions below along with my answers:

Nelson Mandela & Language Learning:
"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart." – Nelson Mandela, from an interview with Fikile Bam

What elements of Nelson's story do you find inspiring?
I find it inspiring that Nelson Mandela was able to use every resource was available to him, to help other people in any way that he could. I also find it inspiring that although he could afford to hire a translator, he choose instead learn the language for himself.

What is the value in learning a foreign language?
You are able to communicate with others more effectively that can't speak your language. Although you could hire or find an interpreter, communication is more effective when you are able to communicate face to face with another person, instead of having someone in the middle. There are many ideas, words, etc that can be lost in translation, and it’s very difficult to translate body language. It would be very difficult to have a conversation with someone with a wall in the middle even if you did speak the same language, because you wouldn’t be able to read body language.
I also believe that if you are trying to help another group of people learn a new trade, learn more effective farming methods, etc, you will achieve better success if you learn their language. The local people will have more respect for you because they will realize that you cared enough to take the time to learn their language. If you are living on their soil, in their villages, eating their food, you should also learn their language.

How do you feel about learning and using a foreign language as a Peace Corps Volunteer?
I think it's wonderful; I've always wanted to learn a foreign language. I think learning the local language will enable me to reach my Peace Corps objective of helping other people improve their health, food production, etc.

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