My mother’s parents arrived in the US from Sweden in 1902 and she was born in the US. When she stared school she could only speak Swedish. In a sense she was an ESl student. As you probably know, kids that age pick up a second language fast. They also don’t forget their first language. Growing up, my mom used some Swedish words and we went to a Swedish Lutheran church. She had a cousin is Sweden as a pen pal since 1930. After my father died in 1978 I told her that it was time to go visit her pen pal. In 1980 my wife and I took her to Sweden to meet her cousins. They treated us like royalty. My mother’s Swedish came back immediately, but it was an away game for my wife and I. We studied using Berlitz tapes so we knew some Swedish words. At the dinner table we used the words we know, learned some new words, and played charades. It was exhausting as we were immersed. That is the best way to learn a second language.
For the next two weeks I will be in Sweden visiting my 2nd cousin and his adult children. I will try to post and send pictures, but don’t count on the five posts a week. Rather, take some time to read some of my book summaries. They are all valuable for parents and educators, but they are not all education books. If you have already read the book, the summary will help you review and internalize the key concepts. If you don’t own the book, the summary might convince you to purchase it.
Be sure to try the bottom right translate button for your favorite language or one you are trying to learn. If you don’t see it, check your adblocking software
Recent Book Summaries & My Podcasts
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini@RobertCialdini
Plays Well With Others: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Relationships Is (Mostly) Wrongby Eric Barker
How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes: Science-Based Strategies for Better Parenting from Tots to Teens by Melinda Wenner Moyer
My Post-Pandemic Teaching and Learning Observations by Dr. Doug Green Times 10 Publications
The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward by Daniel Pink
Limitless Mind: Learn, Lead, and Live Without Barriers by Jo Boaler
The Future of Smart: How Our Education System Needs to Change to Help All Young People Thrive by Ulcca Joshi Hansen
Listen to Dr. Doug on the “Cup of Joe” podcast. I recorded it last week. On it, I talk about the many good things I have seen in schools doing hybrid teaching. @PodcastCupOfJoe @DrDougGreen @BrainAwakes
Back to School COVID Myths – by Dr Doug Green @mssackstein
This is my podcast on the Jabbedu Network. Please consider listening and buying my book Teaching Isn’t Rocket Science, It’s Way More Complex. Here’s a free executive summary. @jabbedu @DrDougGreen
Boys and Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent, and Navigating the New Masculinity by Peggy Orenstein
Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves (the book can be found here.
