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(photo credit: http://www.businessinsider.com/this-automatic-shotgun-fires-360-rounds-bad-intentions-per-minute-2017-5)

My Chinese students are obsessed with guns.

More specifically, they are both terrified and fascinated with what they perceive as an America-wide love of gun ownership. One student wrote about his family fearing for his safety when he came to the States to complete his degree. They were sure there would be lots of average citizens carrying firearms around on the streets, pulling those weapons out to aggressively use them whenever an opportunity arose.

I’ve spent the first half of this semester in our culture course trying to help these students see the history of, various opinions on, and motivations for gun ownership in the U.S. Thankfully, they’ve observed that (most days) our community is quite safe.

But then they read the news.

When I watch news coming out of Las Vegas night after night, I hear how investigators seeking a clear motive for last weekend’s massacre are baffled at nearly every turn. One by one, they have ruled out the clear cut and the usual. Extreme religious ideologies, chemical imbalances in the brain, mental illness, crimes of passion. Those closest to the shooter were surprised by his behavior and didn’t see such an attack coming.

I have not desire to oversimplify the matter and thereby belittle those who are grieving or mock the professionals who are trying hard to do a great job.

But when I ponder this, my mind returns repeatedly to some of Jesus’ words from one of his most famous sermons:

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness.”

Sometimes, the basic or only motivation for committing an harmful act is: pure evil.

I rarely hear anyone speak in those terms these days. This is a day and age where biological progression should have made us rise above such base instincts and act in enlightened ways, where we have a pill to take to cure – or mask – nearly every illness and syndrome. We like to say that it doesn’t matter what I choose to dwell on or do with my time as long as I’m not “hurting other people.”

But what happens when what we’ve been feeding our bodies, minds, and hearts simmers until it boils over? What happens when we act upon the darker nature that resides in us all?

If one will admit that there is indeed evil in the world, what does one do about?

The only thing that will overcome darkness is light, and the only thing that will overcome evil is good.

More or different laws will only treat the wound on the surface. And threats do little to touch corruption so deep. To cure the cancer that runs through our society – and the world – eyes, minds, and souls must be filled with the Light of the World. And people must take daily responsibility for their personal choices and actions.

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(image source: http://www.integralhospitality.com/?p=238)

I attended the MIDTESOL annual conference in Kansas City – the yearly meeting for the Midwest regional branch of the International TESOL organization. Upon returning, my head was spinning with all the information I’d been exposed to. In those moments, one of the presenter’s words of wisdom came back to me like a whisper in the swirling wind.

Neil J. Anderson, a well-known researcher and educator in the field of TESOL, spoke to us about the essentials of professional development in ESL, especially as they apply to instructors and administrators coming back from large conferences. 🙂 Among his useful grounding points, he reminded us of the importance of having a plan for retaining and actually applying one or more of the concepts we’d been introduced to (or reminded of). He likewise stressed the need for a professional development community around us and how we must give/receive support and accountability in order to make sure that the positive changes we seek to apply are truly making teaching/learning better when we return to our home environments. Otherwise, we will go home and nothing will ever change – for we didn’t have a plan to intentionally change it.

In reflecting, I had to admit that I feel only a very loose sense of professional development community in my current work setting. I’d like this to change, but I’m not sure how to see that change happen. It’s as if I need to have a plan for setting up an intentional community with regular checks and balances (and encouragement) before I can move forward with the other part(s) of Anderson’s advice.

I also realized that most of my life has recently been about simply surviving, both professionally and personally. In teaching, that means last minute lesson plans and rushing to overlooked meetings; in professional development, it means a couple of relevant books marked a few pages in and collecting dust on an end table.

I need to have a plan or goal, even just one thing that I will aim for and focus on. And I need to ask a friend or colleague to help me stay on track while I reach for it.

Of course, the principles of community and purpose/priorities  apply to more than teaching and professional growth. They are also essential for emotional, mental, and spiritual growth and individual effectiveness in the broader community. So in daily reflection we can ask: “What/Who am I aiming for today? How am I going to do that or reach my goal? And how will I adjust myself or my plan today or tomorrow based on what happens today?”

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When I think of the term “homeless,” I often think of a person who simply doesn’t have a permanent roof over his/her head. But upon further reflection, I realize that some people who might be labeled homeless have a more genuine sense of home than some people who have mansions with all the bells and whistles.

For one thing, home has to do with identity. Some folks have felt a lack of identity because they don’t know about their family’s full story and their ancestral roots. Others feel rootless because their work requires that they relocate frequently. Still others ignore an inner burning and questions we are all hard-wired with from birth: the concept of spiritual origin as the foundation for spiritual wholeness and well-being.

For another thing, home has to do with possessions. Those may be material possessions, showing our style and income (or lack of those things!) by what our living space or bag of belongings holds. And they may be intangible possessions like virtues and memories – or those things as they are tied to tangible items we will never throw out.

Having just joined the ranks of home “owners” across America, while unpacking boxes in my new place, I was overcome by a different sense of home than I have ever experienced. Just Jesus, me, and my guinea pig. And it was good. I looked down at the items in my hands and surrounding me. Artwork crafted by my then-younger nieces. A gift from a former student reminding me to always remain hopeful. Copies of beloved books given at Christmases past. Soul-filling quotations scribbled on fragments of paper. I hung things on walls and set things on shelves. I put other treasures in closets to pull out at later times, when I will need to remember and count my blessings again.

Home is about identity. And when I believe that God held me in His mind before time began and has held me in His hand since the moment of my conception, I realize that anywhere I go with Him is home to me – and that home with Him is my ultimate home. So I can rejoice in the home of now and the home yet to come.

Home is about possessions. But going through this recent move helped me remember that Emma’s precious drawing is just as valuable to me as the deed to the new house. The latter is proof that – for a little while – I can rightfully dwell here. The former is proof that I love and I am loved – always.

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                                                            (source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/110619734567164356/)

 

For those who study and teach English as a second or foreign language, the sheer number of English verbs (not to mention the complex rules of tense and aspect) can be daunting. How will we ever learn them all?

For those who create and write using English words as a medium, the magnificent number of English verbs can be equally overwhelming. How will we ever use them all?

Part of what increases this language’s population density is the presence of both single-word verbs and phrasal verbs (verb phrases that are generally made up of – and defined through – a combination of a verb and a preposition).

An example of the difference between the two is this: to capitulate means to surrender, wave a white flag, or admit defeat. A phrasal verb with the same meaning would be to give up.

The modern conventions of writing, especially in the world of fiction, may drive a person crazy with the need to kowtow to tight word count limits and always choose a more active or dramatic verb over a less colorful one for fear that we might tell the reader something instead of showing it.

But I would like to argue that the verbs we choose (especially in our written communication) should not be chosen based solely on such factors. Rather, they should be chosen on a case by case basis, according to their basic meaning, their meaning in a given context, tone and register of the genre or audience preference, their weight or feel in a sentence, and the rhythm or texture they add to the piece as a whole.

To return to the first example, observe (or check out) these sentences:

It sounds much more noble for the king of the land to say, “I shall never capitulate, never give my self and my kingdom over to that fiend!” And it sounds much more realistic for the teen punk to yell at his brother while they are wrestling, “Come on…man! I don’t…want to…hurt you. Give up already!” Imagine how odd it might sound if we exchanged those two words in these cases.

To get your creative juices flowing, here is a list of ten more great verbs and their possible phrasal verb equivalents.

  • Circumvent –> Get around
  • Distribute –> Give out
  • Investigate –> Find out
  • Establish –> Set up
  • Announce –> Talk about
  • Display –> Show off
  • Divide –> Divvy up
  • Convert –> Change over
  • Involve –> Draw in
  • Cooperate –> Join with

I encourage you to add to the list in the comments section and also in your own writing notes. And the next time you’re working on a piece, don’t stress over adding an extra word to your count here or there if it means communicating your meaning and feeling more adequately.

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My little buddy, Mr. Whiskers, is the ideal pet for me.

But we had a little adjusting to do when he first came home. He was rescued by the Humane Society and, as an adult animal, he had already developed some habits and fears of his own. He’s not a cuddly beast – and is definitely king of his cage. Yet, as we’ve gotten to know each other better, I think he’s learned to trust me.

My new landlord stopped by recently. Part way through his visit, Whiskers started going nuts, begging me for some more food. (There is a distinctive “I’m hungry” squeak guinea pigs make.) The landlord was amazed: I could interpret for and communicate with a two pound ball of fur! I smiled. “Oh, yes. He’s clever and always lets me know what he needs and what he doesn’t like.”

Caring for Mr. Whiskers brings me a great deal of joy, and I firmly believed he feels safe in my care. How do I know? Guinea pigs do not fully relax and rest or sleep deeply unless they really feel like nothing or no one is going to hurt them. These days, Whiskers has been progressively more at ease, fully resting during times when I am home and sitting nearby.

Here are a few things I’ve learned (or relearned) from having a piggy to love.

First, he craves the good stuff. No unhealthy choices for Whiskers. When I tried to give him sugary pet snacks that were supposed to be good for him, he refused to eat them. Only the fresh stuff will satisfy him: timothy hay from the bail, cilantro, parsley, cucumber, watermelon, tomato, celery, carrot, lettuce, kale, and spinach. When he eats any of those things, he goes after them with gusto. I need to crave and be satisfied with the good stuff.

Second, he tells me its okay to have fun. Every now and then, Whiskers will display his zany side. He will grin at me while stretching high in his cage and make a certain grunt to show the food is outstanding, popcorn (jump straight up in the air) to show happiness and excitement, hide in his hut and then stick his nose out when I ask where he is, or play peek-a-boo with me around his water bottle. Interestingly enough, he usually does these things on days when I especially need a laugh, a smile, or a heart lift. It is great to be grateful for everyday things and stop to relax or play.

Third, he knows when it’s time to rest. About the time I should be heading to bed at night, Whiskers finishes up his late evening snack and lays down contentedly in his preferred sleeping corner. If I stay up much later, it upsets him and he wants to know what the problem is, getting worked up and making a ruckus. I am learning to wind down earlier. 🙂

Thank God for the gifts of goodness and love in every package – no matter how big or how small.

In the comments, please share about a favorite pet or what you have learned from an animal.

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Labor Day weekend is upon us. What better way to celebrate than to work? 🙂

I do look forward to a bit of rest and family time, but before that I will be providing training for some volunteer tutors in my community. They want to be effective helpers to their friends who are learning English, but many of these tutors have not formally studied education or language teaching theory.

Our training time is limited. And the sea of theory/practice in the ELL world is wide. How will I cross it and keep all of them in the boat with me during our short session today?

In planning and creating materials for the session, I had to ask myself, “What does it all really boil down to?” I had to go back to the basics.

For this session, that will mean focusing on the most fundamental principles of language learning and teaching (such as maintaining a balance between accuracy and fluency in progress) as well as a reminder of the elementary pattern for a solid lesson plan.

It will also mean telling myself multiple times throughout the day that we will not cross such a wide sea in one session. And that is okay.

Just as learning a language is a long, challenging process (especially for adult learners), learning how to teach a language well and help a language learner are things that take much time, practice, and patience.

From all of this, I draw several important recyclable lessons.

Anytime we need to explain something or teach others in life, no matter the topic or subject, we must always start with the most basic blocks and terms and work from there. And it never hurts to revisit the basics.

Every teacher trainer must keep the basics in mind when preparing additional materials or explaining more advanced principles.

Every language teacher or tutor must find hope in each teaching experience – both the ones that go very well to lift up the heart and the ones that ride roughly, where we learn from mistakes.

Every language student must join the ones they are learning with and from on the journey, recalling always that it is a journey. Today and tomorrow, we will learn something new. Or recall something previously learned. Or both. 

And in the end, hopefully, we will all look back and be able to see how far we have come.

In the comments, I invite you to name one of the most basic principles from your life or field/work that you always (want to) keep coming back to.

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Next in my series of writing posts, I would like to highlight five great nouns (and a few of their synonyms) that can be used to identify internal things/traits people may possess.  As you read my list, I hope it will stir up some fresh thoughts for your writing, written communication, and descriptions of others.

  1. Contentment – state of having an easy mind because one is satisfied with what one has or because one has “enough”. Ease, gladness, equanimity, satisfaction. How often could you use this word to describe people you know? In our modern world, I find that people who claim to be content are often looked down upon because they aren’t driven and ambitious enough – and that having “enough” can be an extremely subjective thing depending on one’s personal philosophy.
  2. Prowess – superior ability, skill, or strength to excel in something. Aptitude, expertise, talent, command, deftness. I have seen or heard this used in a mostly negative sense. But the truth is that many people possess prowess in one area or another. Whether we are arrogant, showy, or pushy about it is up to us.
  3. Sensibility, Sensibilities – capacity to feel and quickness to respond; capacity for intellectual and aesthetic distinctions, feelings, and tastes. Insight, appreciation, discernment, sentiment, perceptiveness. Most people have common sense (though some of us pay less attention to it than we should), but some have sensibilities which are more heightened or prone to offense.
  4. Tenacity – holding fast to something, not giving up, persevering.  Determination, doggedness, perseverance, steadfastness. This is another word that can be used in either a positive way (a school principal who works hard for years through a very lean budget to help struggling students achieve high goals) or a negative way (the businessperson who demands to make a higher profit not matter what harmful production byproducts might do to the community).
  5. Gumption – Initiative or resourcefulness someone displays. Acumen, savvy, astuteness, get-up-and-go. When I hear this word, I often think of a person (like the Energizer bunny) who seems to have an endless supply of energy, hopefulness, ideas, or solutions. A person with gumption may get knocked down, but he/she won’t stay down for too long.

In the comments section, I invite you to share some of your own favorite nouns – especially positive or negative character traits that people can possess – or to give an example of how you might use the above words in a sentence.

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The news is ugly. So I watch little of it. Just enough to know the basics – and to be reminded of the fragile, broken world I inhabit.

It makes me sad to think of all the hateful things that have been said and done in both the past weeks and the past centuries. It makes me even sadder to recall all the zealots, fascists, bigots, and other radicals who have backed up their beliefs, claims, and propaganda by waving a banner of religion over their proud heads.

There have been many things done in Jesus’ name that Jesus would never condone. And any claim of ethnic superiority is one of them.

How do I know? Because Jesus was bi-racial. And so am I.

“What?” you say. “Jesus wasn’t bi-racial. He had one of the purest Jewish blood lines possible, well-recorded in ancient manuscripts. And you certainly don’t look bi-racial.”

But He was, and I am.

True, I am of European decent, with ancestors from at least six countries – a bit of the Scandinavian and a lot of the Anglo-Saxon. So by nationality I am American, and I always mark myself as Caucasian on surveys.

And after I had lived in China long enough, though I had no real shot at becoming a Chinese citizen, my students did me the honor of proclaiming that I was now an “egg” – white on the outside but yellow on the inside. I was deeply touched by their observation.

Those things are fine, but they are not what I’m talking about. Let me tell you about the races I identify with most strongly.

The first race is the human race. Human beings are my family. You are my family. It doesn’t matter where your ancestors came from, what country or state you grew up in, or what type of immediate family background you have. You are my brother or sister in humanity, and each of us was made by God’s hand, in His image. In the eighth psalm, King David writes that God made people amazingly well, just a tiny step below angels, and crowned us with glory and honor. And He created wondrous variety.

The second race is the life race. We are all running from our earliest years to the day we die. Some of us will run a longer race than others. However, the race can be grueling and the completion can get ugly. That’s because the honored, crowned products of the Creator have all fallen short of His glory, the glory we were originally endowed with. This is where we start to outdo each other in peer and self destruction. As with any race, life has a goal. And I’ve found that what or who I’m running toward at my finish line makes all the difference in how I live my life now.

Jesus was a part of the human race, but He was the only one to ever complete life’s race without falling short of that original goodness. I, on the other hand, am fully human and have fully fallen (before being lifted again by mercy). But the point is that both of us–and each of you–are bi-racial, no matter what our ethnic identification.

Now… if we could only remember those details every time we view the individuals around us.

 

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Have you ever attended a presentation, class, or meeting and watched another attendee use their phone, tablet, or camera to take pictures of PowerPoint slides, posters, or whiteboard lists instead of taking the time to write down or type out that information for later reference? (And have you ever done the same?)

I’m not saying this is a wholly bad thing. I’ve done it myself when a teacher’s diagram on the board was incredibly complex and replicating it on the spot seemed impossible. Technology has its advantages and, correctly used, can help make our learning lives easier.

But I am fearful that if students (and language learners more specifically) start to increasingly take notes simply by taking photos of things instead of recording information in some more engaging and personal fashion, such lazy note taking will result in numerous negative outcomes. Here I will share three of them.

  • Students will be less likely to really recall information later. For many learners, there is something that connects in our brains when we both listen and write or see and write at the same time. This opportunity to more actively process the information even as we are introduced to it makes a way for us to remember things longer and in a more meaningful way.
  • Student listening abilities will continue to decrease. At this point, I’m not necessarily speaking of a student’s language listening level. Rather, when students are busy taking a picture, they are often not listening closely to what the presenter or instructor is saying. As with many aspects of our technologically-driven world, the art of listening seems to be lost while we stare at devices and develop consistently shorter attention spans.
  • Students will not develop the ability to effectively organize and summarize information. The student who tries to transcribe a fast-speaking lecturer’s speech in her notebook will often become very frustrated, since the point of taking notes is to listen closely and write down things that are key, useful, or thought-provoking. In order to listen well and take good notes, a student must practice. By doing so, she can gain valuable experience in organizing information, prioritizing what she hears, and summarizing a speakers main points. All of these skills are useful in both professional settings and effective daily communication with relatives and friends.

When I start teaching a new set of classes later this month, I’m going to offer my students notebooks and pens, because I have a feeling some of them will come to class without these inexpensive but important tools. Whether or not they accept my offer, I will stress that they are to either write things down or type them instead of simply capturing screenshots. In this way, I hope that they will learn more in terms of both language and content throughout the term.

Feel free to comment below. What are your thoughts about “lazy note-taking”?

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A dear friend named Nyla came to visit my family this past week. While shopping together one delightful afternoon, we came across a unique floor rug from India, a long one in which the weaver connected many pieces of brightly died and tightly woven silken rope.

Later, Nyla presented me with the rug. She had purchased it when I stepped out of the store temporarily, and it was her housewarming gift for me and a home I will be purchasing in the months ahead.

I took the rug home and studied it. Many thoughts flew through my mind, about how this rug represents my life. Here are a few of them…

  • It is brightly colored and beautiful, despite (and perhaps because of) the irregular pattern.
  • Someone certainly worked for hours to make it, probably sweating and perhaps bleeding in the process. The only way my life has become what it is now and the only way I’ve been renewed is because of the blood and sweat of the One who loved me most.
  • One color runs into the next in a clear-cut way. Recalling plans, dreams, and intentions, my life is so different now that I imagined it would be as a child, teen, and young adult – often because of 90 degree turns in the road of life that I had little or no control over.
  • What looks like old rags and scraps of cloth has been made into something that the product tag says was used in the palaces of past Indian leaders and kings. In the right hands, with the true value known, what was before called worthless, ordinary, or disposable now becomes treasured, extraordinary, and glorious.

These thoughts inspired me to write a short poem.

from rags to glory

my eyes absorb

for one spun moment

the whole of life

in love’s outpouring

my days restored

through threads close-woven

a plan packed tight

a life: rich, colorful, useful, reclaimed

a plan: unforeseen, hope outshining shame

Today I invite you to ponder the tapestry of your own life, consider all the wonderful and hard things you’ve lived through, and think about how beautiful you must appear to the One who made you – the same one who can and does remake us, when we allow Him to.

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