Ich spreche Deutsch...sort of

WELL, AS I intimated in an earlier post, I am currently learning German.  I'm doing so via Babbel.com and finding it a good way to learn - I took advantage of a Groupon voucher and got six months' worth at a discounted price.  As I go quite fast this means I can get a lot of learning in for what I've paid!

I do have an elementary though rusty grasp of French - but when called upon to speak it I have very little confidence. I decided to start with German because I want to be able to read it - especially academic writing. Okay, so telling the time and asking you where you're from won't help me tackle German theologians yet, but I have to start somewhere!

My sister is learning French, and for fun I am attempting to email her in French to try and practise. I arduously composed the first one yesterday with constant help from my dictionary, and although I'm certain it was full of errors I was pleased to discover I could understand everything in her reply without looking at the dictionary once!

Once I've whetted my language appetite it seems my enthusiasm increases for all of them. I'm reading about the brain at the moment for research purposes (a lot of my book entails my thinking about thinking!) and I'm fascinated how our behaviours, be they physical and mental, have an impact on our brains -  creating changes at an anatomical level. No wonder the more you do something the easier it gets; your brain is shaping itself accordingly!

I'm enjoying learning a language from scratch and discovering the differences, such as the fact that where English would say half past eight the German effectively says half (to) nine - so 8.30 = halb neun, not halb acht. Different endings and articles don't faze me in the slightest since learning NT Greek.  Have to remember to capitalize all my nouns though...

I do have a link from Babbel for a week's free language learning if you wish to try it out.  Being the conscientious type (as attested to in many school reports) I checked with the support team if it would be all right to post it here and they said yes.  I also tried to clarify what you would have access to - as I wasn't clear whether it would be any language or whether you'd be stuck with German just because I am.
They said:

The link will give your friends access to any one of the languages we offer, not necessarily the one you are learning. It all depends upon which language is currently set as the learning language on their Babbel homepage.

So...perhaps it's best to sign up at the website first (there's no cost involved in that) and set your preferred language before following the link?  If you try it, let us know how it works for you!

Here it is: http://www.babbel.com/?code=21291048537

Auf Wiedersehen!

making connections

One thing that always gives me a buzz is making connections.

I love it when I'm reading something or researching something and I suddenly branch out, creating my own cross reference in my mind.  It happens when reading the bible (see my garbled thoughts here) but could apply to any area of study or research - or even light reading.  When reading a novel, for example, you will be reminded of earlier points in the story which are triggered by a new reference, a new incident.  The two combine in your mind, establishing a link, reaffirming the relevance of either or both.

Of course, when it comes to studying a topic or reading a text the connection may have been by hundreds of people already.  There may be nothing new in what you see - it may simply be new to you.  But would it have been the same - felt the same - if someone else had made the connection for you?  Would it sink in?  Would it be as memorable?

Sometimes I wonder if we are all too ready to have others make all the connections for us, to tell us where to look, to provide all the cross references we need.  These can be valuable resources, but there is a thrill in discovering something for ourselves.

I love making connections - feeling those synapses fire and fusing my thoughts in unexpected ways.  And although I like to hear and learn from others - there can be something very personally rewarding in making some of these discoveries myself.

Image from stock.xchng

thinking theologically

The past three nights I've been privileged to attend a series of lectures by NT Wright - it's the first time I've heard him speak and he is a compelling communicator.  I always love learning by listening so this has been great for me - getting to think deeply and theologically (and take copious notes!).

The series has been titled (somewhat provocatively) 'Why we've all misread the gospels' - Monday focused on The forgotten story of the Gospels, Tuesday covered The Gospels in four dimensions - using a helpful metaphor of a quadraphonic stereo system, yesterday's came to the heart of the matter with Kingdom and Cross, and tonight looks at how we apply these things - the so what? factor.

Fascinating stuff - some of which I was already familiar with but I always like revisiting concepts and being reminded of things that have slipped from view.  Will try and post some summaries and impressions at some point.

On a personal level, it's been so refreshing to have the opportunity to reflect deeply and to be reminded of why I love studying theology - it always feels like a constant exercise in uncovering treasure.  It also feeds my mind, which is very much appreciated when I am often isolated in my learning and studying.


Image: not mine!

opportunities for learning by listening

I just followed this link over to the Jesus Creed which I'm pleased about - another lecture to listen to!  This time by John Polkinghorne, tackling issues of science and religion.  Possibly won't try listening while ironing this time, but since I'm feeling somewhat grotty it may be a good option.  Due to feeling unwell I've not done much writing but instead am practising its sister art of reading - but listening could be even better.

I meant, in my previous post re. Alister McGrath, to add that if you do enjoy listening to this kind of topic, there are various other audio resources over at the Zacharias Trust.

Another place for audio resources is the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity (LICC).  Type in 'audio downloads' in the search box and it will give you a list of what's available.

Added later:  check out the audio section of bethinking.org for a whole list of possibilities and topics.

Does anyone else know of any audio gems for those times we want to learn but are feeling to eye-weary to read?