Teaching at the Institute of Pastoral Studies - Loyola University Chicago gives me a worldwide view of life, with students from Korea, Poland, China, Spain, South America, India, Pakistan, and even Atlanta, Georgia! The diversity of perspectives in my classroom is both a gift and a learning opportunity.
As I teach, I’ve discovered a unique way to deepen our understanding of language—I ask my students to use their native language to teach me more about our English vocabulary.
Recently, I asked my students to put the word "hunch" on the board in their native languages and then define it. None of them defined it as simply "hunch"—instead, they painted vivid images of the word in action, bringing its meaning to life in ways that transcended traditional definitions.
I then asked a student from Thailand to write "empathy" on the board in Thai—it turned out to be a very long word! When I asked her to define it, she paused for a moment and said, "Sitting on my grandmother’s lap after dinner before the fireplace." Perfect.
These moments remind me of the powerful world of words, images, metaphors, and inclusion. Try using the languages of your international colleagues or neighbors early and often—you might be surprised at how it enhances your own understanding of English.