words and playgrounds

Artin Goncu, Ph.D. (goncu who-is-at uic.edu)
Fri, 26 Mar 1999 10:45:15 -0800

I also loved the image of words as doors to playgrounds, just as
playgrounds are doors to the words (Vive Vygotsky!)

For me, learning a new language is like learning a new game. Every
"playful" effort leads to the construction shared meanings between native
and foreign speakers, with the participants guiding one another in their
respective ZPD.

It comforts me to think like this and gives me hope that maybe one day I
will learn to share my world in French, a language that I am trying to
learn desperately. Or else, it feels too lonely!
Artin


Artin Goncu, Ph.D
Associate Professor
The University of Illinois at Chicago
Educational Psychology (M/C 147)
College of Education
1040 w. Harrison Street
Chicago, IL 60607-7133
(312) 996-5259