Correcting It is important that the people correct you all the time. Now this is hard to do.

316 Language Learning b Discouragement Constant correction can be discouraging. However, if you realize and accept the fact that anyone and that includes you has to be corrected many times before he can reasonably expect to be able to control a grammatical construction, then there is no need for discouragement. If the rate of correction is dropping for the same construction, then progress is being made and that is nice to know. c Being corrected when you are right Sometimes you will be corrected when you are sure you are right. Don ‘t argue with the person correcting you. Make the correction. Most of the time, there is some factor you have either forgotten about or don ‘t yet know exists. For instance, if the word order suddenly changes, it is probably because of a change of focus or emphasis, or the need to keep track of the ―theme‖ or ―topic‖ of the paragraph. Remember, Kunas speak the language correctly, even though they may not be able to adequately explain it even as we cannot always adequately explain what is happening in English. 2 From their viewpoint 1. They don ‘t wish to embarrass or discourage you. 2. They get tired of correcting the same thing. 3. They forget that you really want them to correct you. So, you need to constantly remind your friends to help you by correcting you. b. Try to make full use of your knowledge 1. Consciously try to make use of your full repertoire of grammatical constructions. 2. Try to make full use of your vocabulary on a given topic. 3. As you progress in the language, try to be more expressive. Try to bring out the emphasis and focus you want to get across to your listener. Learn to be more graphic in your description of exciting events.

c. Keep going

If you start to speak on something and you run into trouble, e.g., you ‘ve forgotten a vocabulary item, you run into a situation where you don ‘t know what the grammatical structure is, don‘t give up without a fight. Try one or several of the following: 1. Try to receive prompting by using iwen ... iwen see Section 11.4.4.1. 2. Admit to a poor memory: ¡Aai An igija. ‗Oh dear I forget.‘ 3. Try the error technique see Appendix N. 4. Try a descriptive phrase or sentence instead of a word. 5. Try dramatization, if practical. Above all, be able to laugh at yourself and at your mistakes. It is much more fun that way, and besides, you will provide a lot of local entertainment.

d. Evaluate yourself

Think about your trouble spots. These may be areas where you get ―stuck‖ or even areas where you are constantly corrected. This is a good indication that here is an area that you need a lot, yet don ‘t control. It makes good sense to make such an area the next one that you find out about and learn.

4. Planning

If you are going to learn Kuna, it takes discipline and planning. This involves not only your study program, but also your living program. If you don ‘t keep mentally and physically fit, your learning ability will be impaired.

a. Living

Long extended periods of exposure to culture stress tend to be cumulative. Although you may ―stick it out,‖ productivity drops and it would be far more profitable to go ―out‖ a week or two and then be fresh again. Appenxix N 317 The endurance of the family is based on the tolerance of the weaker member. This is often the wife, because the stress load of the wife is much greater than that of the husband. She has to carry dual roles of family and work. Then, in addition, the effect of living in a different culture is a far greater stress in her carrying out her role as wife and mother, than on the husband in his role as bread-winner and family man. Desire, or willingness, to live among people of a different culture does not enable one to escape most of the pressures of culture stress. Excessive stress often results in one or more of a vast selection of physical disorders. In summary: Deal with culture stress, or it will deal with you

b. Time

In setting up your daily or weekly schedule, be flexible enough to avoid frustration and disciplined enough to achieve success. Try to fit your daily schedule to the cultural pattern of the people. For instance, have your time for visiting in the late afternoon and your time for study and planning in the morning when the people are away in their fields. Any daily schedule should include: 1 Time with the people Time spent in visiting is not only good for your relationship with the people, but can be valuable language-learning time. 2 Study time Time needs to be set aside for memorization, processing information, planning and preparing for ―talking‖ on your visits. 3 Other work time This includes teaching and medical programs, etc. 4 Family time There is a real need, because of demands by the people, to guard against neglecting the family. Here, you can use the Kuna cultural pattern to good effect. For instance, you can have family fun on your own at the river, swimming and playing it is cultural to respect a family ‘s privacy. You can also have family time by extending the time it takes to eat your meals it is cultural to leave and stay away while people are eating. 5 Your “own” time You husband or wife need time to be on your own for quiet reflection, etc. 6 Living time Living away from the city takes more time for chores, maintenance, etc. This fact has to be recognized and planned for. The above list is not in order of importance or priority. All the items need to be included. None can be left out.

c. Planning your contacts with people

Plan what the contact is going to be: a visit, or work party, or meeting, etc. Based on the type of contact, think of what opportunities there are likely to be for hearing or speaking or learning in Kuna. In view of the opportunities that are likely to be available, think of what learning devices you will be able to use: 1 Hearing 1. Tracking 2. Active listening 3. Passive listening 2 Talking 4. Conversing and speaking