Communication between humans is truly incredible. Get this, she climbs in, extensively gibbers in Spanish, absent-mindedly rubs her knees, and smiles at me.
Oh, you've got bad knees and are very thankful for the ride. Well you're welcome!
Amazing. I probably understood 1-2 words, noticed her facial expressions, the slight grimace as she reached down to touch her knees, then her smile, which I duly returned. In addition I was bringing in outside but related experience with other foreign grandmas, like, my very own Nonna. And I just knew within a second what she was trying to tell me. No language necessary.
As I was observing the ESL class earlier that morning I was thinking about my own experience learning Chinese. I learned many, many words. I could communicate what I wanted very easily by the time I left, but that's not the miracle of communication and language. Listening to others. I mean really listening, picking up on the subtle choice of words that transmit the person's true meaning is what we should be shooting for. I think that should be the focus when we teach.
We chatted in broken Italian/Spanish about San Juan and its best restaurants (she recommends El Molino de Oro). Woman didn't know how to READ until she started coming to the ESL classes. Not even in Espanol. Oh how I wonder what preoccupies her thoughts every day. A meeting of the minds, that's what I want with her. That phrase just made sense in a new, very real way.
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