The Foreign Service Journal, September 2016

44 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Elijah David Bush and Todd Hughes are both FSOs and proud mem- bers of the 177th A-100 class of 2014 who recently studied languages at the Foreign Service Institute (and lived to tell about it). Elijah Bush completed 44 weeks of Turkish in 2015 and now serves in Ankara with his wife and four children. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he had earned a master’s degree in teaching second languages from Utah State University, where he taught entry-level German. He has taught English as a second language as a volunteer overseas and earned a Ph.D. in political science from Jacobs University in Bremen, Germany. Todd Hughes completed 31 weeks of Russian language study in 2015 and now serves in Yekaterinburg with his wife, who also studied Russian at FSI. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he taught French to high school stu- dents in Jacksonville, Florida, and later earned a Ph.D. in linguistics from the University of Florida. T he State Department offers excellent opportunities to learn languages and explore different cultures. Drawing on our experiences both as language teachers and as students, we offer the following strategies for tackling new languages. In addition to applying one or more of them, learners may find other useful reference points during conversations with instruc- tors and learning consultants. There is so much information available at FSI that students are sometimes challenged to find and implement an elusive ideal approach. We propose that optimal learning will happen when multiple approaches are deliberately combined. Our descriptions of the five learning styles below, based on research by British anthropologist Mary Douglas, discuss the strengths and limitations of each approach, and include some practical applications. Many readers will likely recognize the primary style of past teachers. Being aware of your preferred learning style—as it applies to language learning—can be very helpful. There is always a gap between what we know and what we do. After enjoying full-time language study at FSI, we each came away recognizing our own shortcomings—and wished we could go back to our former students and apologize to them, and then do a better job. We are fortunate that most of the instructors at FSI are ready and willing to struggle with us to find just the right mix of effective learning techniques. Here are some of the broad learning (and teaching) prin- ciples we have gleaned, along with practical applications. 1. Repeat after Me… Hierarchical learning relies on top-down, lecture-based instruction. Its experts and instructors come from traditions where learners are viewed as “empty vessels” that need to be filled. Common tactics include drills, workbooks and repetition exercises. The prevalence of this rule-based, traditional approach is not FiveWays to Tackle a New Language Combining different language-learning methods is the best bet for success, say two FSOs with experience as language teachers and students. BY E L I JAH DAV I D BUSH AND TODD HUGHES FOCUS ON DIPLOMATIC TRADECRAFT