Can the work of learning a new language be put at the service of personal enhancement? A few years ago when I was enrolled in a graduate program which required me to learn four foreign languages within two years, I found myself asking this question as I searched for ways to incorporate the rote task of vocabulary memorization into a broader desire to grow as a human being. Much to my delight, I found a treasure trove of inspirational podcasts and YouTube clips which were recorded in my target language and simultaneously translated into English, allowing me to learn a language and find inspiration for living at the same time.
One of my favorite French resources in this regard comes from the TED talk conference held annually in Cannes, France. If you search TEDxCannes on YouTube, you will find an archive of various inspirational TED talks presented in French and subtitled in English. You can thus enjoy an inspiring message while familiarizing yourself with the vocabulary and the sound of the language without having to do the arduous work of translation yourself!
Additionally, many faiths and churches have adherents that span many nations, and sermons preached in other lands are often made into podcasts which can be accessed here in the United States. This ‘hack’ works not only if you are advanced enough in a language to comprehend most of what is being said but can also be of help if the assembly is in the practice of bringing in English speaking preachers or lecturers and translating them during the talk. Tuning in can thus be an interesting means of encountering a faith or culture different from your own or a fun way to ‘listen in’ on the gatherings of fellow adherents of your own faith, all within the span of your daily commute.
This, in fact, was the primary way that I taught myself German. In my search for inspirational material, I discovered some podcasts from an evangelical church originally founded in an English speaking country, which often invited their founding members over to Germany to preach to their congregation there. I listened to so many of these broadcasts while driving back and forth to and from school that I was eventually able to understand the German only ones without needing any translation. Of course, I had to supplement my language skills with words not typically included in a Church sermon (for instance, while I had become very good at recognizing a call to ‘accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior’ I needed supplementary study for, say, a trip to the hardware store or the bakery!) Never-the-less I began to feel so close to this community from a different land and faith tradition than my own, that the next time I was in Germany, I went over to visit them to meet them in person and thank them for allowing me to ‘listen in’.
Great Idea Kristine!