Where Are Your Keys? (WAYK) is an interactive technique for learning languages directly from native speakers. It is a game-based approach that uses gesture and sign language to facilitate immediate communication in the target language.[1] The game is based on repeated questions and answers, with a set of gestures. Initially, the student makes gestures for specific, concrete objects, such as keys or a rock, and then moves on to adjectives. The student always responds in full sentences. The language gestures used are based on American Sign Language.[2] Because the focus is creating an interactive game between the native speaker and the learner, it may be preferable to select a native speaker without language-teaching experience. The game trains speakers in language fluency.

The technique has been used in instruction of Alutiiq,[3] Chinuk Wawa, Konkow,[4] Kutenai,[5] Mohawk,[6] Navajo,[7] O'odham,[7][8] Squamish,[9][10] Unangax,[11] French,[12] Latin,[13] Irish,[14][15] Korean,[16] Turkish,[17] and at a Chickasaw language immersion camp for families.[18] Users report that the Where Are Your Keys? technique can be used with any language for which a willing fluent speaker is available.[2][19]

According to creator Evan Gardner, Where Are Your Keys? is partially based on the Total Physical Response technique.[1][20]

Where Are Your Keys? language acquisition workshops have been held at the American Indian Language Development Institute of the University of Arizona,[7] at Stanford University,[21] at Northwest Indian College,[22] at the 2010 "Save Your Language" Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia,[23] at the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages,[24] and at the 2012 Maryland Foreign Language Association Fall Conference, held at Notre Dame of Maryland University.[25]

As of 2012, a Where Are Your Keys? podcast[26] and wiki[27] are available, as well as online videos and an official website.[4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Where Are Your Keys? a language fluency game - Boing Boing". Boing Boing. 19 November 2009. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  2. 1 2 Rachael Ash (January 2000). "Learning to Learn Language—My Recent Journey Through Where Are Your Keys". The Everyday Language Learner. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  3. ↑ Friedman, Sam (23 February 2014). "They're speaking Alutiiq in Anchorage". Washington Times / AP. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  4. 1 2 Jim Bauman (6 October 2012). "Where are your keys?". Our Language, Native American Language Revitalization. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  5. ↑ Lailani Upham (18 March 2012). "Group seeks to save Kootenai language by asking "Where Are Your Keys?"". Char-Koosta News - Official Newspaper of the Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  6. ↑ "Mohawk Youth Explore Culture, Language, Tradition and Effective Governance — National Centre for First Nations Governance". National Center for First Nations Governance News. March 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 "Workshop Summary: Where Are Your Keys?". AILDI - American Indian Language Development Institute. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  8. ↑ "Indigenous Languages Conferences, Workshops, and Symposia for 2012". First Peoples: Blog. 25 January 2012. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  9. ↑ Tessa Holloway (11 October 2011). "Squamish Nation struggles to preserve a threatened language". North Shore News. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  10. ↑ "Technology and 10%: Language Revitalization". RPM.fm, Indigenous Music Culture. 26 October 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  11. ↑ "Method in Focus: Where Are Your Keys?". SpokenFirst, Your Resource for All Language-Related News in Indian Country. 23 August 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  12. ↑ "French WAYK in Quebec". Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  13. ↑ Rachael Ash (5 April 2012). "Pomegranate beginnings: Creating Language-Seekers: My Recent Journey Through Where Are Your Keys". Pomegranate beginnings. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  14. ↑ "Irish Gaelic Archives". Where Are Your Keys.
  15. ↑ "Irish Language WAYK in Portland area". Constant Contact.
  16. ↑ "Korean Language Hunters: Play Your Way to Fluency". Self Study Korean. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  17. ↑ Joel Thomas (4 June 2014). "Fethiye WAYK (Turkish Session Diary)". Fethiye WAYK. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  18. ↑ "Family Language Immersion Camp - Tatanka Ranch". Chickasaw.TV. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  19. ↑ "Where Are Your Keys? In my brain, that's where". Story by the Throat!. 28 February 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  20. ↑ "Squamish Nation activist plans conference to save First Nations languages in B.C." Straight.com. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 21 May 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  21. ↑ ""Where Are Your Keys?" Language Acquisition Workshop Day 1". Stanford University Event Calendar. 5 November 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  22. ↑ Brooks, Laura (23 August 2010). "Method in Focus: Where Are Your Keys?". Spoken First. Your Resource for All Language-Related News in Indian Country. Falmouth Institute. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  23. ↑ "Facilitators « Save Your Language Conference". Save Your Language, June 5–6, 2010. 4 May 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  24. ↑ "32. Where Are Your Keys? (Free)". Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  25. ↑ "MFLA Fall Conference" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  26. ↑ "iTunes - Podcasts - The Where Are Your Keys? LLC Blog". iTunes. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  27. ↑ "Where are your Keys? Wiki". Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
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