‘Truc’ is one of those all-purpose words in French. It means a thing, an object, or just whatever it is you can’t think of the name for. If you are at the hardware store and you’re looking at a piece of electrical equipment, but can’t remember the exact word in French, you can simply ask how this ‘truc’ works.
I have found it helpful to have a ‘truc’; some ‘thing’ that provides me a way to keep working on my language ability. It’s a small notebook where I write down any new word or phrase that I hear, its definition and perhaps a simple example of how to use it in a conversation. The purpose of the little notebook is for me to keep learning so that there will be clarity in the Gospel message I share with French people.
It’s a method or technique that works for me. It may not work for you. However, you may have other ways, a ‘truc’ that has helped you in ongoing language learning. We would love to hear what that might be.
Filed under: Communication, Language learning, Lifelong learning |
Thoughts Along The Journey 
A great word, method and a very good reminder for all of us to continue in language study. I get the Meriam Webster word of the day, In English, and there are so many words in my own language I don’t even know.
Thanks Susan! Way to use techology to help you keep working on language acquisition! I’m sure there are others who have ways to help us keep learning the language.
Thanks David for providing a personal example of proactive language development!!!
I’m sure there are a few more good examples out there of proactive language development!
We are just starting the method of “only in German” once outside our front door. English inside. We are finding you have to set up accountabilities against sliding into your native language. My daughter and I did it yesterday shoe shopping and it was really helpful! Will keep you posted on how it works.
Thanks Gwen! And way to go on taking the ‘plunge’ of German only outside the house. For us, we found that one of the ways to better integrate as people heard us trying to use the language and often times came to our aid.