Week One
Warm up
We had a quick game together to learn 4 words - Đức Giê-hô-va, Kinh Thanh, Nhân Chứng Giê-hô-va and Chúa Giê-su. Along with learning these words we made up some actions to go with them.
Lesson One Introduction to tones
We learnt three tones in this lesson - không dấu (monotone), dấu sắc (up tone) and dấu huyền. We also learnt the sounds A, AI and AY (HANDOUT - INTRODUCTION TO TONES PAGES 1 AND 2).
A few things to remember: Northern Vietnamese pronounce AY the same as we do, southern Vietnamese, however, say AY and AI the same. Anh Sơn would like us to use the Northern pronunciation for this sound as it is less confusing for us and less confusing for those we speak to. It is good for us to be aware, though, of this difference in pronunciation.
Lesson Two - Communicative Approach
The communicative approach is different to a traditional classroom approach to learning. A traditional approach to learning has a teacher at the front of the class reading lessons, students listen and take notes and speak when spoken to. The communicative approach encourages everyone to speak and use the new words they are learning as much as possible. In this way we all become teachers (teaching ourselves and fellow students) and we learn by communicating - much more effective! After some instruction on how to pronounce the short conversation on the handout (BASIC CONVERSATION SHEET) everyone got up and practiced by having the conversation with every student and teacher.
Note: Please feel free to write out phonetically what you are hearing so you can practice at home with the correct pronunciation. However, we will ask you to stop writing phonetically in a few weeks time to help you learn to write Vietnamese correctly.
Lesson Three - Introduction to Numbers (HANDOUT - NUMBERS SHEET)
The class learnt numbers one to ten, then it was time for balloons! One balloon between two, practicing up to the number six. Remember when using balloons at home to say the word as your hand connects with the balloon. Why? Because the central motor strip (in your brain) controls the motor skills of speaking, but also controls your limbs. By getting your limbs involved while your mouth is learning to speak Vietnamese you increase your brains ability to learn and retain. Doing two activities at once also helps the Vietnamese numbers become part of your subconscious as your conscious mind is focusing on hitting the balloon.
Lesson Four - More Pronunciation
We learnt new sounds AO, AU, AM, AN, TR and ANH. (HANDOUT - INTRODUCTION TO TONES PAGES 3 AND 4). We also learnt the two remaining tones - dấu ngã/hỏi and dấu nặng.
Another note on North/South difference of pronunciation. Northern Vietnamese pronounce AO and AU differently, Southern Vietnamese pronounce these sounds the same. Anh Sơn taught us the Southern Vietnamese pronunciation in this case. Also, Northern Vietnamese differentiate between dấu ngã and dấu hỏi, Southern Vietnamese pronounce them the same - we'll be going with the Southern Vietnamese on this one.
The class received a summary sheet of the tones. (HANDOUT - THE FIVE VIETNAMESE TONES)
Lesson Five - Culture
Anh Dennis gave us a quick introduction to this aspect of the course by highlighting to us the principle found in Acts 17. The apostle Paul had to change his method of preaching when he arrived in Greece. He had to adjust for beliefs, customs, background etc. This is why we will have a culture lesson each week, so we can be effective in preaching to the Vietnamese people.
Lesson Six - Field Service
Each student received a Peaceful New World tract and a simple presentation (HANDOUT - FIELD SERVICE PRESENTATION). The students practiced as a class saying the presentation and then added gestures to aid in remembering it. Using the communicative approach all the students got up and practiced the presentation with each other and the brothers and sisters from the local congregation who had come to support the class. Culture note: by handing a tract/magazine/book to the householder with two hands, we highlight the importance of the information we are bringing.
Homework
After explaining the 'speed time' method of teaching the class - having a two hour class broken into 6 lessons in order to keep attention levels high - the class received their homework sheets (HANDOUT - HOMEWORK SHEET).
The class is encouraged to us the 'speed time' method when doing their homework - don't do one subject for a long time, break it up, change it up to keep your attention focused.
Don't forget 1 hour a day! One part of the one hour a day can be listening to Vietnamese radio. SBS Radio AM 1224 has Vietnamese radio twice a day - 9-10am and 7-8pm.
You can also listen to Vietnamese radio on the SBS website.
YouTube 'tieng viet' or 'vietnamese' and watch some Vietnamese TV, cooking shows etc.
Go to Springvale if you can and immerse yourself in the atmosphere - hearing Vietnamese this way, though you won't understand it, will give you a feel for the language and get you used to how it sounds.
|
