In my first class for my middle school students, I showed the students these two photos. I asked them which one they would choose if they wanted to do something quickly and easily. They chose the drill, because it has more power. I explained that we also have some “power tools” in language learning, things we can say that make learning English faster and easier.
The first phrase on the list: I do not understand.
I got some blank stares as I introduced this. When I asked how saying “I do not understand” could give them power, I got mostly blank stares or confused looks. How could admitting you don’t understand something in a class of 40 students help you learn? Doesn’t it just cause you to lose face?
We talked about how admitting you don’t understand can help you, because the teacher or a classmate can help you understand instead of just continuing. The other power tools I gave them also help you to be assertive in getting the help you need–“please repeat that,” “please speak more slowly,” and “how do you spell that?”. I’ve reviewed these at the start of class every week, because I truly want the class to be a place where the students are empowered in their own learning and a safe place to ask questions and make mistakes.
As I was looking at their blank stares when I asked them how admitting you don’t understand can give you power, I realized how counter cultural a concept this is. And not just in Chinese culture. No one likes to admit weakness, even for some kind of greater good.
And yet, the thought also came to me that this is exactly what Jesus did. Jesus also had to allow himself to look foolish for a greater good–our reconciliation. Jesus did not consider “equality with God something to be used to his own advantage” (Phil. 2:6). He took on flesh and became nothing. He gave up his power for our salvation and healing.
While I presented these sentences to my students as “power tools” because in the end they do equip one to be a better language learner, they could also be called “vulnerability tools”. To use them, you have to admit that you don’t know everything or you have a question or need some help. And this is life–what looks like power and having everything all together isn’t always actually power. The greatest and strongest act of love in history came because Jesus gave up all of his power.
Screwdriver photo by Efraimstochter on Pixabay Drill photo by PublicDomainPictures on Pixabay Both used under a Creative Commons License
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