2 courses down... 1 (long one) to go!

We have now come to the end of the second course here at Horsley’s Green. Time is flying! Last week saw the end of 4 weeks of Language and Cultural Acquisition. This was a really practical, hands-on introduction to language learning. It was lots of fun but also pretty intense at times! We had lectures on techniques for language learning and adapting to a new culture but also small group sessions where we learnt (and were assessed on!) all the sounds in the International Phonetic Alphabet. This prepared us to be able to produce and transcribe any sound we may come across in a language. We also started to learn a minority language in our groups from a language helper. Matt learnt Iranun and Liz learnt Kelabit. Both are indigenous Malaysian languages and at the end of 3 weeks language learning we performed a role-play of buying food in a market situation to an audience. It was good fun (if a little daunting for Matt whose opinion of himself as a ‘language learner’ is not always great!) but we can now at least say that we will both be able to survive if we are ever stranded in deepest Malaysia!

The photos below are from the buffet and ‘Fun Night’ that completed these 4 study-filled weeks – with everyone involved in the course coming together to celebrate the time we had together. We had sketches about phonetics and language learning, cultural items, games and awards followed by dancing! Many giggles were had by all, especially when Matt played the phonetics teacher in a comic rendition of an ‘average’ phonetics lesson! Some even suggested he should abandon Wycliffe for a career on the stage!! It was a great way to say ‘goodbye’ to friends who were leaving at the end of LACA. All these comings and goings are hard work but it is good training for the many changes that await us in the coming months!

Liz talking to a friend

Matt in his sketch of the 'average' phonetics lesson!

Matt and his language learning and phonetics group

Last weekend, the Wisbeys and a few friends also celebrated the end of the course by having a medical in London! We survived being poked and prodded and have (most likely, awaiting formalities!) been given the all clear to go abroad-YEAH!!

Aside being examined, this weekend was spent sightseeing in London (again!) and included a visit to Hillsong Church London. This was great fun, everyone agreed, even if a slightly different experience of church than many are used to! No bad thing we think! Matt also enjoyed yet another game of football with some other students and conference visitors. He is really making the most of having a full football team around most of the time (including some very talented girls!).