Make a Friend and Learn a Language

Amazing Language

Human language is intriguing, complex and numerous. How many languages are there? One random sampling of New Yorkers, indicated that many believed there were several hundred known languages.  Ethnologue (published by SIL International), an authoritative source on world languages, reports there are actually 6,909 known living languages today. The number of known languages is growing, not because new languages are being formed, but because existing languages are continually being discovered. This number represents a paradox because the actual number of languages is decreasing as ancient and unwritten languages are becoming extinct.

Today’s The Challenges

For me, language is fascinating, but not for everyone. The U.S. made provision for as many as 80,000 refugees in 2001 alone. Combine that number with the 720,000 foreign students currently in the U.S. and there’s a lot of potential for language confusion. Leading places of origin for international students in 2010/11 were China, India, South Korea, Canada and Taiwan. These nations represent over 53 percent of the international students studying in the U.S. Many for these incoming refugees and international students speak little or no English. This is a big challenge.

Many of the foreign children coming to the U.S. will adapt well to a new language and culture, but not so for parents and other adults. Numerous linguistics experts report that the older you get the more difficult it becomes to learn a new language. Many foreign adults will insulate themselves with a small group of same-language peers and be resistant to adapt to a new language and culture. These people need our help.

Ways To Help

Resentment agencies or sponsors play a vital role in assisting newcomers in their transition, but their help alone is often not enough. What these people need most are English-speaking companions. Establishing a welcoming relationship with a non-English speaking adult can provide them with the language and culture immersion they really want and need.

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

If you encounter non-English speaking people in your community or neighborhood it may be time to step out of your comfort zone. I’m not suggesting that you alter your routine or lifestyle at all, but that you offer a simple initiation. A simple invitation to your ordinary world can do wonders in helping an international student or refugee acquire the language and communication skills they need to thrive in their new environment.

Here are some ideas for you:

1.    Invite someone along to the grocery store.

2.    Have them over for diner.

3.    Invite them to go to church or other community events (Don’t abandon them when you’re there).

4.    For families, plan play dates at the park.

5.    Include them in your holiday or family gatherings.

6.    Go to a movie together.

As a former student minister I witnessed numerous exchange students and foreign college students as they made communication improvement through regular involvement in weekly church related activities. Through this connection these foreign students built relationships that led to involvement in the everyday part of their new friends lives. The idea is to incorporate them in the ordinary and routine parts of your life. This kind of immersion will drastically accelerate their language skills and comprehension of the English language.

Why go out of your way to help a non-English speaking person? I’’ give you for reasons. First of all, you really won’t be going out of your way, your just inviting them to join in the things you are already doing. Secondly, you have a kind and compassionate heart; you care about your community and the people in it. Thirdly, you’ll have an opportunity to learn about a different culture and make new friends. Lastly, you could learn one of the worlds 6,909 amazing languages through your new friendship.

Matthew Anderson – A stay-at-home father and primary educator of four amazing children. I’m currently learning Mandarin Chinese along with my family and enjoy researching linguistic tools and services such as Transparent Language and others.