For many of us, learning a language can spark various emotions – fear, insecurity, anticipation, excitement, and everything in between. For some, learning a language may simply mean adding another language to their repertoire, while others may see it as an obstacle to pursuing cross-cultural work in the first place. Wherever you fall on the language learning journey, learning how to learn the language of your host culture during missions training can be an invaluable step of preparation for not just surviving, but thriving.
Most of us enter our host cultures with a desire to thrive in a way that is integrated into the community. Since it has consistently been proven that missionaries who place an emphasis on language learning during pre-field training and throughout their time in their host country stay longer in-context, this is a key to holistic integration. Knowledge of the language can significantly reduce stress levels as well as impact friendship depth, spiritual engagement, trust levels among locals, and daily tasks like negotiating prices at the market or paying rent. So, it is not surprising that research on the connection between missionary retention rates and language learning has shown that returnees come home an average of 8 years earlier when there is little emphasis placed on language learning.1
Language as a tool to learn culture
Language is more than a tool for communication; it is also one of the primary vehicles for cultural transmission, key to understanding the worldview, values, and social norms in a culture.2 Beginning language learning in the early stages of cross-cultural life can open the door to deeper cultural understanding. Arguably, because of how closely language and culture are woven, some would say that culture cannot exist without language and vice versa. For example, someone in a North African or Middle Eastern country might commonly hear the phrase “inshallah,” Arabic for “God willing.” Culturally it can mean “yes,” “maybe,” or most commonly, “no” (often when a parent is speaking to their child). This single phrase holds multiple meanings, revealing cultural, religious, and individual beliefs that can only be understood within the heart language of the host culture. Language learning can deepen cultural understanding and bonding to the culture, opening your eyes and heart to the people you are surrounded by.
Language as a friend
Learning the host culture’s heart language can help you connect more deeply with the people, opening doors to new friendships and opportunities to dive deeper into spiritual conversations in the local language. Beginning language learning before moving to your host culture can set you up for making friends sooner and integrating into the culture more quickly. Even if you do not start language study till after you arrive, entering with the posture of a learner can pave the way for relationships with local people. By taking the time to learn the local language, cross-cultural workers can communicate to friends in their host culture their desire to know their culture, exemplify respect for those around them, and build trust through their efforts. There is a special sparkle in the eye of a friend when you speak in the heart language of their family for the first time, even when it begins with small steps. The relationships developed through language and culture learning enable you to not only remain and survive in your host country, but to ultimately thrive within the community you enter.
In the Language Learning Accelerator Course at CIT, you will walk through practical skills and attitudes toward a successful language learning journey. We will conduct assessments to discover your ideal language learning strategy, practice a variety of forms of language learning activities and methods, and begin to develop ears to hear and the ability to reproduce unfamiliar sounds. Wherever you are preparing to go in the world, our experienced facilitators and native speakers will help you to create a plan for language learning that suits your learning style, reducing stress upon entry and providing a vehicle for holistic integration in your new culture. We believe that language learning preparation can be a key step to helping cross-cultural servants not just to survive in their host culture, but to thrive in their friendships, community, and calling.
- Detlef Bloecher, “Continuous Language and Cultural Studies Are Indispensable,” https://www.theimtn.org/main/documents/articles/Continuous%20Language%20Studies%2011714.pdf
- Mutsumi Imai, Junko Kanero, and Takahiko Masuda, “The Relation Between Language, Culture, and Thought,” Current Opinion in Psychology, Culture, 8 (April 2016): 70–77, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.10.011.
