Charlotte Mason and foreign language

Charlotte Mason and foreign language (part 5)

Frequency was also to be used in carrying words to future lessons. For example, the words used in Lesson 1 were carried through and used as needed in further lessons, thus building on their necessity, worth, and logical connection. This also helped the student to understand the words in different contexts. The repetition of the sounds and their linkage enables the student to feel safe in this repetition of subjects and complements. It allows for a more natural experience, experiential learning, and places the memory under more advantageous conditions.

This repetition was to be done with less bridging from the original language in order to facilitate thinking in the foreign language. There is also a further step. Once the word or phrase has been understood, it must be conquered. Our minds must incubate this knowledge. To take possession of knowledge is to make it pass through successively by way of the senses. The activities and exercises we do must be more than mere book work.

One of the first conditions or prerequisites for comprising a series is to have lived it. Monsieur Gouin believed that the experience was far more important than just learning words or grammar. In this the student must experience the action himself or hear of the action in story form. This in reality is very central to the Charlotte Mason Method.

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note: this is part 5 of 10. Have you read Part 1?

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