hey everyone history science literature TED Talks the pooling of knowledge from
TED Talks the pooling of knowledge from
TED Talks the pooling of knowledge from one generation to the next from one
one generation to the next from one
one generation to the next from one person to another without language this
person to another without language this
person to another without language this incredible device that we have the human
incredible device that we have the human
incredible device that we have the human brain
brain
brain none of it would be possible and here’s
none of it would be possible and here’s
none of it would be possible and here’s the device when you’re born it’s like a
the device when you’re born it’s like a
the device when you’re born it’s like a smartphone with no apps yet powerful but
smartphone with no apps yet powerful but
smartphone with no apps yet powerful but without much data then your environment
without much data then your environment
without much data then your environment gives you a code a language and you plug
gives you a code a language and you plug
gives you a code a language and you plug it into your device so you saying you
it into your device so you saying you
it into your device so you saying you tell jokes you lament you philosophize
tell jokes you lament you philosophize
tell jokes you lament you philosophize in Japan you do it in Japanese in Brazil
in Japan you do it in Japanese in Brazil
in Japan you do it in Japanese in Brazil you do it in Portuguese and if you can
you do it in Portuguese and if you can
you do it in Portuguese and if you can understand what I’m saying right now and
understand what I’m saying right now and
understand what I’m saying right now and that means that your brain has adapted
that means that your brain has adapted
that means that your brain has adapted to the code English and that means that
to the code English and that means that
to the code English and that means that your language acquisition device your
your language acquisition device your
your language acquisition device your brain is working perfectly and guess
brain is working perfectly and guess
brain is working perfectly and guess what you can also learn a second
what you can also learn a second
what you can also learn a second language regardless of your age or your
language regardless of your age or your
language regardless of your age or your station in life and to do so all you
station in life and to do so all you
station in life and to do so all you need to do is to add the app add the
need to do is to add the app add the
need to do is to add the app add the skill to your device so let’s find out
skill to your device so let’s find out
skill to your device so let’s find out who’s in the audience who here is a
who’s in the audience who here is a
who’s in the audience who here is a polyglot someone who speaks three or
polyglot someone who speaks three or
polyglot someone who speaks three or more languages wow that’s great
more languages wow that’s great
more languages wow that’s great you’re joined by 17 percent of the
you’re joined by 17 percent of the
you’re joined by 17 percent of the world’s population and now how about
world’s population and now how about
world’s population and now how about bilinguals who are able to speak two
bilinguals who are able to speak two
bilinguals who are able to speak two languages
languages
languages that’s another 43 percent of the world’s
that’s another 43 percent of the world’s
that’s another 43 percent of the world’s population all taken together as it
population all taken together as it
population all taken together as it turns out to be bilingual is more than
turns out to be bilingual is more than
turns out to be bilingual is more than norm than the exception because 60
norm than the exception because 60
norm than the exception because 60 percent of the world’s population is in
percent of the world’s population is in
percent of the world’s population is in fact bilingual although unfortunately
fact bilingual although unfortunately
fact bilingual although unfortunately here in our nation of immigrants we lag
here in our nation of immigrants we lag
here in our nation of immigrants we lag a little bit behind the global average
a little bit behind the global average
a little bit behind the global average but why is that our brains are designed
but why is that our brains are designed
but why is that our brains are designed to do it
to do it
to do it and we have resources right here in a
and we have resources right here in a
and we have resources right here in a population that is diverse and
population that is diverse and
population that is diverse and multilingual why aren’t more of us
multilingual why aren’t more of us
multilingual why aren’t more of us bilingual well maybe you currently study
bilingual well maybe you currently study
bilingual well maybe you currently study another language but still have a way to
another language but still have a way to
another language but still have a way to go before you call yourself bilingual
go before you call yourself bilingual
go before you call yourself bilingual perfect keep it up and maybe some have
perfect keep it up and maybe some have
perfect keep it up and maybe some have tried a language in the past but have
tried a language in the past but have
tried a language in the past but have given up in frustration or some others
given up in frustration or some others
given up in frustration or some others may have really never had an opportunity
may have really never had an opportunity
may have really never had an opportunity to get exposed to another language in
to get exposed to another language in
to get exposed to another language in their environment maybe some never
their environment maybe some never
their environment maybe some never really saw the point I get it most
really saw the point I get it most
really saw the point I get it most people at some point have been in a
people at some point have been in a
people at some point have been in a language class does your language class
language class does your language class
language class does your language class look anything like the image portrayed
look anything like the image portrayed
look anything like the image portrayed in this picture look at the stress on
in this picture look at the stress on
in this picture look at the stress on the student’s face as he offers his hand
the student’s face as he offers his hand
the student’s face as he offers his hand and there’s the teacher with his stick
and there’s the teacher with his stick
and there’s the teacher with his stick in his hand ready to punish the students
in his hand ready to punish the students
in his hand ready to punish the students and look at the at the young student
and look at the at the young student
and look at the at the young student behind with his hand on his head
behind with his hand on his head
behind with his hand on his head thinking oh man I’m next right now
thinking oh man I’m next right now
thinking oh man I’m next right now fortunately nowadays our language
fortunately nowadays our language
fortunately nowadays our language classes are not that draconian anymore
classes are not that draconian anymore
classes are not that draconian anymore this is from the 18th century but the
this is from the 18th century but the
this is from the 18th century but the memorization the grids the lists the
memorization the grids the lists the
memorization the grids the lists the rules none of it leads to language skill
rules none of it leads to language skill
rules none of it leads to language skill because that’s not actually how our
because that’s not actually how our
because that’s not actually how our brains learn language and so it’s it’s
brains learn language and so it’s it’s
brains learn language and so it’s it’s frustrating to everyone if you haven’t
frustrating to everyone if you haven’t
frustrating to everyone if you haven’t learned a language in a language class
learned a language in a language class
learned a language in a language class that’s okay because very few people can
that’s okay because very few people can
that’s okay because very few people can actually learn that way we don’t learn
actually learn that way we don’t learn
actually learn that way we don’t learn through error correction or worksheets
through error correction or worksheets
through error correction or worksheets we learn through communication just like
we learn through communication just like
we learn through communication just like we do when we’re children and world
we do when we’re children and world
we do when we’re children and world language classrooms have improved but
language classrooms have improved but
language classrooms have improved but still without fail when I’m waiting in
still without fail when I’m waiting in
still without fail when I’m waiting in the line at the supermarket to check out
the line at the supermarket to check out
the line at the supermarket to check out or at a party talking to people and they
or at a party talking to people and they
or at a party talking to people and they find out what I do they say oh your
find out what I do they say oh your
find out what I do they say oh your Spanish teacher Wow I studied Spanish
Spanish teacher Wow I studied Spanish
Spanish teacher Wow I studied Spanish for five years and I can’t say much more
for five years and I can’t say much more
for five years and I can’t say much more than K what is or como estas
than K what is or como estas
than K what is or como estas and what they say is sadly I’m just not
and what they say is sadly I’m just not
and what they say is sadly I’m just not good at this I’m just not good at
good at this I’m just not good at
good at this I’m just not good at learning languages but nonsense because
learning languages but nonsense because
learning languages but nonsense because we know you speak English perfectly so
we know you speak English perfectly so
we know you speak English perfectly so what happened there are a lot of good
what happened there are a lot of good
what happened there are a lot of good reasons to learn a second language a
reasons to learn a second language a
reasons to learn a second language a second language will increase your job
second language will increase your job
second language will increase your job prospects it’ll increase your social
prospects it’ll increase your social
prospects it’ll increase your social life it’ll even increase your available
life it’ll even increase your available
life it’ll even increase your available gene pool it’ll make you more empathetic
gene pool it’ll make you more empathetic
gene pool it’ll make you more empathetic and it’ll make you more likely to travel
and it’ll make you more likely to travel
and it’ll make you more likely to travel and you can sprinkle your vocabulary
and you can sprinkle your vocabulary
and you can sprinkle your vocabulary with little bits of things like Sheena
with little bits of things like Sheena
with little bits of things like Sheena Sigma and speaking a second language is
Sigma and speaking a second language is
Sigma and speaking a second language is good for your cognitive health too
good for your cognitive health too
good for your cognitive health too speaking two languages it’s a workout
speaking two languages it’s a workout
speaking two languages it’s a workout that actually strengthens your brain
that actually strengthens your brain
that actually strengthens your brain much like lifting weights your brain has
much like lifting weights your brain has
much like lifting weights your brain has to hold all of that information and
to hold all of that information and
to hold all of that information and balance it and instead of impeding your
balance it and instead of impeding your
balance it and instead of impeding your ability to think and reason it actually
ability to think and reason it actually
ability to think and reason it actually accentuates it and the result is
accentuates it and the result is
accentuates it and the result is increased gray matter better mental
increased gray matter better mental
increased gray matter better mental flexibility improved concentration and
flexibility improved concentration and
flexibility improved concentration and you retain information better and the
you retain information better and the
you retain information better and the benefits of being bilingual translate to
benefits of being bilingual translate to
benefits of being bilingual translate to higher scores on all kinds of tests for
higher scores on all kinds of tests for
higher scores on all kinds of tests for young people and for older people it
young people and for older people it
young people and for older people it means a later onset of such things as
means a later onset of such things as
means a later onset of such things as dementia and Alzheimer’s up to five
dementia and Alzheimer’s up to five
dementia and Alzheimer’s up to five years in some studies as compared to our
years in some studies as compared to our
years in some studies as compared to our monolingual peers and the most
monolingual peers and the most
monolingual peers and the most interesting thing I think comes from a
interesting thing I think comes from a
interesting thing I think comes from a 2012 study from the University of
2012 study from the University of
2012 study from the University of Cambridge that found that people who are
Cambridge that found that people who are
Cambridge that found that people who are bilingual
bilingual
bilingual are more likely to be able to find
are more likely to be able to find
are more likely to be able to find solutions in conflict so it may be
solutions in conflict so it may be
solutions in conflict so it may be possible that being bilingual actually
possible that being bilingual actually
possible that being bilingual actually makes us a little bit nicer and that’s
makes us a little bit nicer and that’s
makes us a little bit nicer and that’s that’s a that’s in short supply these
that’s a that’s in short supply these
that’s a that’s in short supply these days so your brain obviously wants to be
days so your brain obviously wants to be
days so your brain obviously wants to be bilingual and I hope you do too so I’ve
bilingual and I hope you do too so I’ve
bilingual and I hope you do too so I’ve been at this for about 20 years learning
been at this for about 20 years learning
been at this for about 20 years learning and speaking and teaching world language
and speaking and teaching world language
and speaking and teaching world language and while it’s widely accepted that is
and while it’s widely accepted that is
and while it’s widely accepted that is natural for a child to learn a second
natural for a child to learn a second
natural for a child to learn a second language easily and managed the to a lot
language easily and managed the to a lot
language easily and managed the to a lot of adults fear that if they don’t pick
of adults fear that if they don’t pick
of adults fear that if they don’t pick up a language when they’re young that
up a language when they’re young that
up a language when they’re young that ship has sailed and I myself am proof of
ship has sailed and I myself am proof of
ship has sailed and I myself am proof of the opposite in my own life and
the opposite in my own life and
the opposite in my own life and experience has taught me that there’s
experience has taught me that there’s
experience has taught me that there’s three things that are really key to
three things that are really key to
three things that are really key to getting the most out of your language
getting the most out of your language
getting the most out of your language learning experience one is to recognize
learning experience one is to recognize
learning experience one is to recognize teachers master teachers in your
teachers master teachers in your
teachers master teachers in your environment one is to communicate with
environment one is to communicate with
environment one is to communicate with purpose and another is to have the
purpose and another is to have the
purpose and another is to have the tolerance for ambiguity to be
tolerance for ambiguity to be
tolerance for ambiguity to be comfortable with not having all the
comfortable with not having all the
comfortable with not having all the answers and not knowing everything good
answers and not knowing everything good
answers and not knowing everything good teachers matter this is via Andres Singh
teachers matter this is via Andres Singh
teachers matter this is via Andres Singh he’s in the first row second from the
he’s in the first row second from the
he’s in the first row second from the right and the guy in the scarf behind
right and the guy in the scarf behind
right and the guy in the scarf behind him she looked familiar that’s me at 20
him she looked familiar that’s me at 20
him she looked familiar that’s me at 20 years you’ll notice the glasses are the
years you’ll notice the glasses are the
years you’ll notice the glasses are the same he taught me Hindi when I was in
same he taught me Hindi when I was in
same he taught me Hindi when I was in college in preparation for a year abroad
college in preparation for a year abroad
college in preparation for a year abroad I was at the University of Wisconsin and
I was at the University of Wisconsin and
I was at the University of Wisconsin and I studied Hindi with Virendra and his
I studied Hindi with Virendra and his
I studied Hindi with Virendra and his passion and his joy in the language in
passion and his joy in the language in
passion and his joy in the language in teaching the language in being in
teaching the language in being in
teaching the language in being in teaching through the culture was
teaching through the culture was
teaching through the culture was contagious and even though I never
contagious and even though I never
contagious and even though I never achieved a very high level of
achieved a very high level of
achieved a very high level of proficiency in India we were all able to
proficiency in India we were all able to
proficiency in India we were all able to go to India and communicate and have a
go to India and communicate and have a
go to India and communicate and have a wonderful experience and the thing I’d
wonderful experience and the thing I’d
wonderful experience and the thing I’d like to point out here in this picture
like to point out here in this picture
like to point out here in this picture is that we’re all adults we’re not
is that we’re all adults we’re not
is that we’re all adults we’re not learning these second language as
learning these second language as
learning these second language as children so it’s possible and when we’re
children so it’s possible and when we’re
children so it’s possible and when we’re faced with experience where we don’t
faced with experience where we don’t
faced with experience where we don’t know the language it can be really
know the language it can be really
know the language it can be really intimidating but the single best way to
intimidating but the single best way to
intimidating but the single best way to learn any language is by immersion so
learn any language is by immersion so
learn any language is by immersion so here I am in Morocco and while I may not
here I am in Morocco and while I may not
here I am in Morocco and while I may not be able to communicate very much in
be able to communicate very much in
be able to communicate very much in Arabic
Arabic
Arabic I was I was walking through the
I was I was walking through the
I was I was walking through the mountains and I there was this farmer
mountains and I there was this farmer
mountains and I there was this farmer and he offered me some figs and if I’m
and he offered me some figs and if I’m
and he offered me some figs and if I’m unable to say shukran if I’m unable to
unable to say shukran if I’m unable to
unable to say shukran if I’m unable to connect with him in his language even
connect with him in his language even
connect with him in his language even for such a simple thing as thank you
for such a simple thing as thank you
for such a simple thing as thank you then I’m really missing out on something
then I’m really missing out on something
then I’m really missing out on something really important I’m missing an
really important I’m missing an
really important I’m missing an important opportunity and what’s the
important opportunity and what’s the
important opportunity and what’s the next word that I’m going to learn is
next word that I’m going to learn is
next word that I’m going to learn is FIGS
FIGS
FIGS and who’s the teacher who’s going to
and who’s the teacher who’s going to
and who’s the teacher who’s going to teach me that it’s him
teach me that it’s him
teach me that it’s him so I say shukran and then he tells me
so I say shukran and then he tells me
so I say shukran and then he tells me FIGS and that’s how it all starts and
FIGS and that’s how it all starts and
FIGS and that’s how it all starts and when we travel we need to use language
when we travel we need to use language
when we travel we need to use language to find the bathroom to get something to
to find the bathroom to get something to
to find the bathroom to get something to eat to find a place to sleep and that
eat to find a place to sleep and that
eat to find a place to sleep and that becomes the basis for our language skill
becomes the basis for our language skill
becomes the basis for our language skill if that becomes the foundation upon
if that becomes the foundation upon
if that becomes the foundation upon which we build our fluency in a language
which we build our fluency in a language
which we build our fluency in a language and life is ambiguous when you’re living
and life is ambiguous when you’re living
and life is ambiguous when you’re living in and traveling in a new culture and in
in and traveling in a new culture and in
in and traveling in a new culture and in a new language Here I am about ten years
a new language Here I am about ten years
a new language Here I am about ten years ago when I was studying my master’s
ago when I was studying my master’s
ago when I was studying my master’s degree in Spain and I’m in the mountains
degree in Spain and I’m in the mountains
degree in Spain and I’m in the mountains around Salamanca and there’s a pig
around Salamanca and there’s a pig
around Salamanca and there’s a pig walking in the street so for me to be
walking in the street so for me to be
walking in the street so for me to be able to connect this is an opportunity
able to connect this is an opportunity
able to connect this is an opportunity for a conversation right like what’s
for a conversation right like what’s
for a conversation right like what’s this big doing here do pigs just walk in
this big doing here do pigs just walk in
this big doing here do pigs just walk in the street and Spain is this normal well
the street and Spain is this normal well
the street and Spain is this normal well not in Madrid but in this small town
not in Madrid but in this small town
not in Madrid but in this small town yeah and so to be able to go into an
yeah and so to be able to go into an
yeah and so to be able to go into an environment and have the humility to say
environment and have the humility to say
environment and have the humility to say I don’t have all the answers I don’t
I don’t have all the answers I don’t
I don’t have all the answers I don’t know how this works how does this work
know how this works how does this work
know how this works how does this work tell me about it that is a real
tell me about it that is a real
tell me about it that is a real opportunity for language learning and
opportunity for language learning and
opportunity for language learning and the and a really important thing to be
the and a really important thing to be
the and a really important thing to be able to do is to view anyone who speaks
able to do is to view anyone who speaks
able to do is to view anyone who speaks the language as a potential teacher so
the language as a potential teacher so
the language as a potential teacher so just a couple of months ago I was
just a couple of months ago I was
just a couple of months ago I was traveling with a group of students and
traveling with a group of students and
traveling with a group of students and in Spain and we went into this
in Spain and we went into this
in Spain and we went into this incredible bakery and so I walked in
incredible bakery and so I walked in
incredible bakery and so I walked in there and I started to have
there and I started to have
there and I started to have a conversation with a with a baker there
a conversation with a with a baker there
a conversation with a with a baker there and I said wow this rye bread is
and I said wow this rye bread is
and I said wow this rye bread is incredible can you tell me more about
incredible can you tell me more about
incredible can you tell me more about this so we’re having a conversation
this so we’re having a conversation
this so we’re having a conversation there and if you notice our body
there and if you notice our body
there and if you notice our body language you’ll see that we’re sort of
language you’ll see that we’re sort of
language you’ll see that we’re sort of standing the same right and when you do
standing the same right and when you do
standing the same right and when you do that naturally when we’re in
that naturally when we’re in
that naturally when we’re in conversation with other people and
conversation with other people and
conversation with other people and there’s simple simply between the two
there’s simple simply between the two
there’s simple simply between the two people we actually connect physically
people we actually connect physically
people we actually connect physically and you may notice that when you’re when
and you may notice that when you’re when
and you may notice that when you’re when you’re with your friends your speech
you’re with your friends your speech
you’re with your friends your speech changes in some ways to mirror what’s
changes in some ways to mirror what’s
changes in some ways to mirror what’s happening when you’re in a job interview
happening when you’re in a job interview
happening when you’re in a job interview your register is going to be a little
your register is going to be a little
your register is going to be a little bit different and actually this happens
bit different and actually this happens
bit different and actually this happens on a neurological level too so in fact
on a neurological level too so in fact
on a neurological level too so in fact our neurons are actually firing in the
our neurons are actually firing in the
our neurons are actually firing in the same areas of the brain when one person
same areas of the brain when one person
same areas of the brain when one person is speaking to another it’s absolutely
is speaking to another it’s absolutely
is speaking to another it’s absolutely incredible it’s magical
incredible it’s magical
incredible it’s magical it is really incredible but
it is really incredible but
it is really incredible but communication isn’t always that smooth
communication isn’t always that smooth
communication isn’t always that smooth right I feel quite comfortable in
right I feel quite comfortable in
right I feel quite comfortable in Spanish I’m feeling great yeah we’re in
Spanish I’m feeling great yeah we’re in
Spanish I’m feeling great yeah we’re in Spain I’m Spanish teacher it’s great
Spain I’m Spanish teacher it’s great
Spain I’m Spanish teacher it’s great right but on this same trip just a
right but on this same trip just a
right but on this same trip just a couple of months ago and we decided we
couple of months ago and we decided we
couple of months ago and we decided we could just go over the bar into France
could just go over the bar into France
could just go over the bar into France go to the beach great so we get to the
go to the beach great so we get to the
go to the beach great so we get to the beach
beach
beach everything’s great perfect beautiful and
everything’s great perfect beautiful and
everything’s great perfect beautiful and um I noticed something none of us have
um I noticed something none of us have
um I noticed something none of us have towels right and of course the students
towels right and of course the students
towels right and of course the students want to swim whatever so I go up to the
want to swim whatever so I go up to the
want to swim whatever so I go up to the boardwalk and I look around and I see
boardwalk and I look around and I see
boardwalk and I look around and I see okay is there a shop where I can buy
okay is there a shop where I can buy
okay is there a shop where I can buy some towels so I go out in search of
some towels so I go out in search of
some towels so I go out in search of towels no towels no tell a shop so I see
towels no towels no tell a shop so I see
towels no towels no tell a shop so I see a man sitting there and I think man how
a man sitting there and I think man how
a man sitting there and I think man how do you say towel in French so I decide
do you say towel in French so I decide
do you say towel in French so I decide okay well you know what I know chef food
okay well you know what I know chef food
okay well you know what I know chef food today right I want right so I’m gonna
today right I want right so I’m gonna
today right I want right so I’m gonna I’m gonna start with that and then I’m
I’m gonna start with that and then I’m
I’m gonna start with that and then I’m just gonna like try to adapt my Spanish
just gonna like try to adapt my Spanish
just gonna like try to adapt my Spanish so I say chef Luther a a compre une
so I say chef Luther a a compre une
so I say chef Luther a a compre une Hawaii because comprar una tahuayo of
Hawaii because comprar una tahuayo of
Hawaii because comprar una tahuayo of course is Spanish
course is Spanish
course is Spanish I think it’s gonna be close enough and
I think it’s gonna be close enough and
I think it’s gonna be close enough and the guy looks at me like I don’t speak
the guy looks at me like I don’t speak
the guy looks at me like I don’t speak caveman right so and I start to gesture
caveman right so and I start to gesture
caveman right so and I start to gesture over a Hawaii and he says I stay wound
over a Hawaii and he says I stay wound
over a Hawaii and he says I stay wound serviette and I’m thinking ah in Spanish
serviette and I’m thinking ah in Spanish
serviette and I’m thinking ah in Spanish said we yet that means napkin so I’m
said we yet that means napkin so I’m
said we yet that means napkin so I’m like Wii Wii console yet right like a
like Wii Wii console yet right like a
like Wii Wii console yet right like a big a big a big in napkin and so so he
big a big a big in napkin and so so he
big a big a big in napkin and so so he indicates where it is and stuff like
indicates where it is and stuff like
indicates where it is and stuff like that I go over to the shop and I walk in
that I go over to the shop and I walk in
that I go over to the shop and I walk in and I say chef food today I just a you
and I say chef food today I just a you
and I say chef food today I just a you need to save yet and oh of course here’s
need to save yet and oh of course here’s
need to save yet and oh of course here’s a towel and I’ve learned from this
a towel and I’ve learned from this
a towel and I’ve learned from this master teacher from the shopkeeper from
master teacher from the shopkeeper from
master teacher from the shopkeeper from the man sitting there and all of it
the man sitting there and all of it
the man sitting there and all of it happens because I’m willing to be
happens because I’m willing to be
happens because I’m willing to be vulnerable I’m willing to not have all
vulnerable I’m willing to not have all
vulnerable I’m willing to not have all the answers now not all of us can travel
the answers now not all of us can travel
the answers now not all of us can travel not all of us can just well we have jobs
not all of us can just well we have jobs
not all of us can just well we have jobs we have families we have limited
we have families we have limited
we have families we have limited resources sometimes we lack both the
resources sometimes we lack both the
resources sometimes we lack both the time and the money to be able to immerse
time and the money to be able to immerse
time and the money to be able to immerse ourselves for oh let’s go for six months
ourselves for oh let’s go for six months
ourselves for oh let’s go for six months and immerse ourselves in a new language
and immerse ourselves in a new language
and immerse ourselves in a new language it’s not possible for everyone but we
it’s not possible for everyone but we
it’s not possible for everyone but we can seek immersion experiences right
can seek immersion experiences right
can seek immersion experiences right here at home
here at home
here at home there are bilingual communities here
there are bilingual communities here
there are bilingual communities here throughout the United States where there
throughout the United States where there
throughout the United States where there are people that would love to speak with
are people that would love to speak with
are people that would love to speak with you one of the things that you can do is
you one of the things that you can do is
you one of the things that you can do is have an intercom be over that we in
have an intercom be over that we in
have an intercom be over that we in Spanish we call in an intercom bial when
Spanish we call in an intercom bial when
Spanish we call in an intercom bial when you say okay we’re gonna speak 15
you say okay we’re gonna speak 15
you say okay we’re gonna speak 15 minutes in English we’re gonna speaks 15
minutes in English we’re gonna speaks 15
minutes in English we’re gonna speaks 15 minutes in our native language and we
minutes in our native language and we
minutes in our native language and we both learn and there’s a great way to
both learn and there’s a great way to
both learn and there’s a great way to connect with immigrant communities and
connect with immigrant communities and
connect with immigrant communities and welcome people you are that person who’s
welcome people you are that person who’s
welcome people you are that person who’s welcoming a new person and you’re
welcoming a new person and you’re
welcoming a new person and you’re learning from each other it’s a great
learning from each other it’s a great
learning from each other it’s a great way to do it another great thing is that
way to do it another great thing is that
way to do it another great thing is that you can participate in a community this
you can participate in a community this
you can participate in a community this is cafe Cumberland this is a group of
is cafe Cumberland this is a group of
is cafe Cumberland this is a group of adults here in the Chattanooga area we
adults here in the Chattanooga area we
adults here in the Chattanooga area we get together every month and we just
get together every month and we just
get together every month and we just speak Spanish and you know some of some
speak Spanish and you know some of some
speak Spanish and you know some of some people here have you know
people here have you know
people here have you know this is the first language or Spanish as
this is the first language or Spanish as
this is the first language or Spanish as their first language or Portuguese or
their first language or Portuguese or
their first language or Portuguese or Tagalog or German but the focus is on
Tagalog or German but the focus is on
Tagalog or German but the focus is on communication and on community and if
communication and on community and if
communication and on community and if you’re unable to travel to find a local
you’re unable to travel to find a local
you’re unable to travel to find a local community or to find a class you can
community or to find a class you can
community or to find a class you can still connect to the internet and in the
still connect to the internet and in the
still connect to the internet and in the same way that TED Talks allow people who
same way that TED Talks allow people who
same way that TED Talks allow people who can’t be in the room to connect to ideas
can’t be in the room to connect to ideas
can’t be in the room to connect to ideas we can also get exposed to language
we can also get exposed to language
we can also get exposed to language through using technology well it’s all
through using technology well it’s all
through using technology well it’s all up to you you need to be the one to take
up to you you need to be the one to take
up to you you need to be the one to take the first step you need to plan your
the first step you need to plan your
the first step you need to plan your trip you need to find some bilingual
trip you need to find some bilingual
trip you need to find some bilingual friends you need to join a class and I
friends you need to join a class and I
friends you need to join a class and I believe that in the simple act of using
believe that in the simple act of using
believe that in the simple act of using a language we can improve our own lives
a language we can improve our own lives
a language we can improve our own lives and the world at the same time by
and the world at the same time by
and the world at the same time by building empathy and connections between
building empathy and connections between
building empathy and connections between people of vastly different backgrounds I
people of vastly different backgrounds I
people of vastly different backgrounds I wish you well on your journey the world
wish you well on your journey the world
wish you well on your journey the world is filled with seven and a half billion
is filled with seven and a half billion
is filled with seven and a half billion master teachers go discover a few for
master teachers go discover a few for
master teachers go discover a few for yourself
yourself
yourself yes
yes
yes [Applause]
”
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