Sunday, 1 December 2024

December: A Month of Joy and Laughter

 The Importance of Humour in Language Learning

Being able to understand humour is vital when learning a new language. It can make the learning more enjoyable and at the same time it can help students to appreciate the culture better. British humour combines self-depreciation with a dose of straightforward sarcasm. Spaniards laugh at almost everything except themselves. Mexicans find humour in tragedy, and Argentinians enjoy irony. In Colombia, one of the happiest countries in the world, people laugh at everything, including themselves.

In addition to celebrating Christmas in December, the Hispanic world has the Day of the Holy Innocents. This is a Catholic religious holiday that takes place on December 28 and is named in honour of the young children who were slaughtered by order of King Herod around the time of Jesus’ birth. These young victims were called Santos Inocentes or “Holy Innocents.”

It’s a day for children to celebrate innocence by playing jokes or pranks on adults. The Día de Los Inocentes is much more than April Fool’s Day in the UK. The following “innocent” jokes can be used in the classroom to discuss the festival. The PowerPoint including a sentence builder can be found in TES.


Understanding humour is essential when learning a new language. Let's explore some examples of its benefits.

Humour helps to overcome fear of mistakes

Jokes can help students become more comfortable with making mistakes. Being able to laugh at oneself can reduce anxiety and ecourage risk-taking, which is essential for language development. Example:

This joke highlights the idea that even grammar books can have mistakes, reminding students that everyone makes errors, and it is a natural part of learning. Laughing at situations like this can help students to feel more comfortable with their own mistakes and reduces the fear of speaking in a foreing language. 

Jokes can improve communication

Grasping jokes, puns, and wordplay can enhances one's abililty to communicate naturally and effectively in a new language. Humour allows the speaker to engage more confidently in everyday conversations while uncovering the subtle naunces of the language they are learning. For example:

 

This joke uses the double meaning of the word "problemas." In mathematics, "problemas" refers to exercises or questions to solve, while in everyday life, it can mean difficulties or worries. Understanding this kind of humour helps students to see how one word can have different meanings depending on the context, improving their understanding and communication skills in Spanish.

  Humour creates cultural connection

Humour is an important part of a country's or community's culture. It reflects values, customs, and ways of thinking, helping students better understand the cultural and social context of the language. Example:

 

This joke uses the diminutive "cafecito," which does not just mean a small coffee but also shows affection or familiarity - a common expression in Hispanic culture. The humour comes from how Spanish speakers use diminutives to make words softer or friendlier, reflecting a unique cultural characteristic.

 Jokes strengthens personal relationships

Humour is a great tool for building connections with others. Understanding and participating in the humour or a culture can help establish trust and bring students closer to native speakers. Example:

 

This joke is light-hearted and fun, bases on the relationship between two social media platforms. Sharing jokes like this can help students feel more comfortable and connected, which in turn helps to establish stronger bonds. Laughing together at simple jokes can create a friendly atmosphere and foster closeness among friends or colleagues.

On the 28th of December - ¡Feliz Día de los Santos Inocentes y cuidado con las bromas! – Happy Holy Innocents Day and be careful with the jokes! 

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By Isabel O'Donoghue at

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