Two ideas have been circulating in my mind recently, and they very possibly could be linked, or I’m at the point in the semester when things are too crazy to have rational thought.
#1
A few weeks ago, my conducting teacher ranted about the best pedagogical path one should follow when attempting to teach someone a concept. He stated that we must teach people at the highest level possible, encouraging a sense of high intellectual self-esteem and eliminating the need to relearn things. For example (theoreticians, this is for you), analyzing a symphonic movement without the simple ABA’ label, and start to understand the exposition, development and recapitulation in finer detail to explain how one section is the result of what came before it. This in-depth look, he argued, then allows one to understand the work more thoroughly and with a heightened sense of curiosity.
In most approaches to teaching, one begins with the most general framework and then move in as abilities and knowledge increase. This is the logical framework as it makes sense in the stream of difficulty. However, along the way sometimes words need to be replaced as more precise terminology comes into play. Also mentioned before, a student might gain more confidence learning the more complicated version of the same concept because of knowledge. As taught in a psychology courseby Dr. Jeff Huber, Knowledge is the number one key to success as a coach and an athlete. Therefore, based on this, possibly starting with the complex can breed better results- this needs testing of course.
#2
The second idea is a little less arcane(whoopee) and deals with the idea of simplicity and complexity in language using. Arriving at a store here in Vienna, I sometimes do not know how to ask for what I need in German. However, instead of speaking a fluent English to them, what comes out is monosyllabic utterings with gestures to explain what I need. However, the awkward part of this whole situation is that they usually understand English quite well and the pointing and gesturing probably is ridiculous and unnecessary. It probably all boils down to perspective. In the United States, people speak one language with two or three being the exception. However here in the Vienna, people usually speak two languages, one including English. Most movies and entertainment are in English, so people and especially the younger generation speak fluent English.
Sometimes I make the ridiculous gestures and short phrases attempting to simplify, but in actuality I could maintain most the complexity with complete comprehension on the other side. I’m sure others have had this problem when in a foreign country-whether it be out of embarrassment for not knowing the language or trying to communicate in the clearest manner. Sometimes, especially in this case, speaking in fluent English and complete sentences probably is more useful than using the short phrases. You see the connection now? Anyways, enough thoughts and more practicing and studying. Ciao!
Thoughts with David 