The Intern Rangers and my Metakatsu Breakthrough

The Intern Rangers and my Metakatsu Breakthrough

Anne, Nancy and I with our Special Judges` Award

This past Sunday, two of my fellow interns, Nancy from Taiwan, Anne from France, and I participated in the 3rd LEX Multilingual Presentation as a team. The LMP is special event for young adults, ages 17-25, to give presentations about their perspectives on language, society, and culture. Along with Anne, Nancy, and I, twenty-six other contestants shared their views on these subjects. Our team was awarded the Special Judges` Prize (the judge`s choice award, bronze, silver and gold were awarded to 8 other participants), which includes a special scholarship that can be used towards participating in a LEX exchange in the future!

I was SO proud of our group for achieving this special award! I had competed in the previous LMP back in the fall, and had been mortified when my presentation went over the eight allotted minutes. Also, I had been extremely stressed about using over three languages--obsessing about word order and absolute correctness. This time however, I was able to relax, feel confident, and actually have a lot of fun!

For my part, I spoke Korean, Japanese, English, and Mandarin. Nancy used Russian, Japanese, Mandarin, English and French, and Anne used French, German, English and Japanese. By working together as a team, we were able to try out each other`s languages, and give each other help and support. Any anxiety about speaking Mandarin, a language I have zero background in, was drastically reduced as I mimicked, or did "metakatsu," of a recording of Nancy reading my part. I think because I was paying less attention to minute details, I was able to "absorb" the sound and flow of the words.  The tones and pronunciation felt natural to me, just part of the rhythm!

Fellow interns Kahye and Yeppi cheered us on!

I think this is a big breakthrough in how I perceive the language-learning method at Hippo. Of course, when one learns about Hippo we hear all about the benefits of mimicking, the "waves" and sound of language, and the brain`s innate ability to absorb it. But learning about the Hippo method is one thing--accepting and embracing it--is something else entirely.

While I`ve always considered myself open to the Hippo method, I realize now that my preconceptions of language-learning were holding me back from diving into it completely. There was always some sort of doubt that was holding me back. Perhaps it comes from society, perhaps insecurities that came from my own language-learning experience...whatever it is, it kept me teetering on the edge.

I was so proud that my sister, Risa (center),
took one of the two golds!

Let me be clear, I do not discount "traditional" language-learning methods. While my 3 years of studying Japanese in college were certainly not easy, and often stressful, I firmly believe that they provided me with a strong basis in grammar, writing, reading, and various nuances such as honorifics. In my opinion, the Japanese department at University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the finest in the US, if not in the world. Not to mention, the amazing staff of professors and TA`s are committed to providing a rigorous, multi-faceted education for their students. I owe a LOT to their guidance and dedication. They have given me the foundation for the Japanese I use today.

That being said, there is no one perfect method of learning languages that is going to suit everybody. Classroom style did not always suit me, just as the Hippo method does not cover every base for language learning. However, they each have strong points!

Now that I`ve overcome this mental hurdle towards metakatsu, I feel that I am able to participate fully in the Hippo activities. While I happily did metakatsu at weekly clubs before, I now feel motivated to try it on my own. I don`t plan on completely abandoning conventional tools--things such as kanji practice books and my fun smartphone app for learning Mandarin will remain part of my toolbox. However, I feel that by embracing metaktasu more fully, I can enhance and round out my language learning in a fun, simple way that gives me confidence!