Episode 3: What is TQ: Technique?

### Show Notes: In this episode, Sky “surprises” Evan and Susanna with a Technique of the Week. It’s the mother of all WAYK Techniques, [TQ: Technique](http://https://whereareyourkeys.org/technique-glossary/#technique)! Evan explains that TQ: Technique is all about “the idea that technique or method exists” for teaching and learning languages. Then Evan, Sky, and Susanna talk about the three Techniques they teach new WAYK learners before their first lesson. Evan explains that “we are the craftsman of our own tools.” If a strategy doesn’t exist for the situation we’re in, we get to make new Techniques to address the issues that come up when learning and teaching. How many WAYK Techniques are there? On the WAYK website, you can find a glossary with 100 starter Techniques, but in development there are almost 400 Techniques. Sky talks about how that number might be overwhelming, but you remember the TQs that you need and that you tend to use. Evan says “the key is that you’re thinking in techniques” (you’re focused on *how* you’re delivering a lesson more than *what* you’re going to teach; with good strategies, any content is teachable). Susanna points out that WAYK techniques are like a language (“not only do you not have to learn them all at once, but you can’t learn them all at once”). Why do Techniques have such quirky names? WAYK Techniques should be memorable and accessible. Techniques can be changed or adapted to meet the needs of a community, and sometimes Techniques with outdated names or ideas need to be updated, so they can stay accessible. For example, TQ: Travels with Charlie needs to be changed because the references (Larry King and Charlie Rose)are no longer appropriate (Sky: “Is there anyone else who’s on the radio or TV whose name is Charlie?”). Have you created a Technique? Do you have ideas about updates to Travels with Charlie? Let us know what you think of this episode of the WAYKcast! Send any questions to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) or [tweet at us](https://twitter.com/playwayk) with the hashtag #WAYKcastquestion. We’ll do our best to address questions in future episodes of the WAYKcast. ### WAYK Techniques Mentioned (so many!): - [Technique](http://https://whereareyourkeys.org/technique-glossary/#technique) - [Copycat](http://https://whereareyourkeys.org/technique-glossary/#copycat) - [Limit](http://https://whereareyourkeys.org/technique-glossary/#limit) - [Obviously](http://https://whereareyourkeys.org/technique-glossary/#obviously) - [Mumble](http://https://whereareyourkeys.org/technique-glossary/#mumble) - [Slow Down](http://https://whereareyourkeys.org/technique-glossary/#slower) - [Speak Up](http://https://whereareyourkeys.org/technique-glossary/#louder) - Two Words Same Sentence - [Pull Me Through It](http://https://whereareyourkeys.org/technique-glossary/#pullmethroughit) - UN Interpreter - Needs Gap - [Lunatic Fringe](http://https://whereareyourkeys.org/technique-glossary/#lunaticfringe)/Alutiiq Fringe - [Travels with Charlie](http://https://whereareyourkeys.org/technique-glossary/#travelswithcharlie) - [Craigslist/List](http://https://whereareyourkeys.org/technique-glossary/#craigslist) You might like [Anna’s post on the WAYK website](http://https://whereareyourkeys.org/master-teachers-and-techniques/) about identifying techniques her mentors were using during her student teaching experience. Check out the [WAYK Techniques Glossary](http://https://whereareyourkeys.org/technique-glossary/) for more! ### Follow Us: * [The WAYK Website](https://whereareyourkeys.org/) * [Subscribe on Apple Podcasts](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-waykcast/id1389938619) * [Twitter](https://twitter.com/playwayk) * [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/playwayk/?hl=en) New episodes in Season 1 of the WAYKcast are coming in January 2019, when we’ll be releasing new episodes every other Tuesday.