Kiva as a language learning resource

[Guest]

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[dh]

Instructors of foreign languages are often looking for examples of authentic uses of the language that give insight into the cultures where the language is spoken. Loan descriptions on Kiva often provide the original text in Spanish, French, Russian or other languages along with an English translation. They give glimpses of everyday life that are not likely to be encountered elsewhere. And if the students happen to make a loan while they are on the site, well, that can't be helped.

[chris]

This is something I have thought about as well.  I don't know if there is any enablement Kiva could do to promote language learning using lender descriptions..... still thinking on that.....

[dh]

On an individual level, you can print out samples to share with foreign language instructors as an introduction to the site and for use as handouts. I hadn't thought about something more systematic on Kiva's part, though.

Don
Old paper guy

[Evelyn Yvonne Theriault]

Hello,
Two other thoughts:
1. For an authentic experience, if you yourself are a competent translator, you can sign up as a language translation volunteer at KIVA.org and let your students help you.

http://www.kiva.org/about/opportunities/

2. I teach bilingual (French/English)students so I've encouraged them to add a sentence or two in French in their comments for the borrowers in cases where they might speak French. Anyone can leave a comment for a KIVA entrepreneurs, so you could find one in the language you are teaching and have your students post comments. I am sure that the entrepreneurs would be excited to have comments in their mother tongue! Here is a link to comments made by my students for a Lebanese loan

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=comment&id=23418&ent=28762

Evelyn

Link: KIVAPEDIA EDUCATION
http://www.kivapedia.org/index.php/Main_Page/Education