Linguistic Learners
- Christy Bass Adams
- Oct 27, 2025
- 3 min read
In Bible times, children of the Jewish faith memorized whole books of scripture. Most had the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, hidden in their hearts during childhood. Me, on the other hand, I struggle to memorize one single verse, I can’t imagine memorizing whole Old Testament books word for word. For these Old Testament followers, they didn’t have access to the written word like we do. They had no other option than to memorize and then pass their words on to the next generation.
The Psalms are filled with reminders to hide God’s word in our hearts. His words matter. Paul tells Timothy, “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV). Words play a huge role in becoming the people God desires us to be.
Think about the students in our classrooms who love to read. Many can disappear into the pages of a book so deeply they disengage from reality. These are the students who love learning new words and concepts. They understand hidden and complex meanings and naturally know how to infer from the text. Spelling tests are fun. Vocabulary work is a reward. Dictionaries and thesauruses are valuable to their existence. And the thoughts of learning the Latin prefixes and suffixes whet their appetite. These students are likely to become future teachers, speakers, writers, pastors, communicators, and language interpreters. Filled with leadership potential, these kids are often called nerds or know-it-alls.
What are we doing to foster their love of words? Do we include story and speech writing? Do we encourage them to choose stronger verbs and adjectives? Do we push them in the areas they already love and excel in? We could be the reason they choose their future career.
Maybe it’s time to create a class news report for these students to write and conduct each day. Or when they get finished with class work maybe they might enjoy creating a RAFT (Role, Audience, Format, Topic) writing activity related to the skill they are learning. What if they were challenged to write a limerick or haiku that connects to the skill they are learning. These types of extensions light up the Linguistic learners and keep them motivated in the classroom.
Only God knows what he has for each of these Linguistic learners to accomplish in their lives. Who knows, maybe the next Billy Graham is sitting in your classroom. How are you encouraging him to become all he can possibly be?
Do the Heart Work
1. Who are your Linguistic learners?
2. What could the future hold for each of these Linguistic learners and how are you contributing to their future success?
3. Are you reading God’s Word and hiding it in your heart like the early Jewish children? Why or why not?
Digging Deeper
My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. Proverbs 4:20-27 (ESV)
How are you using your words this week?
If You Get Spare Time
No matter what subject you teach, research some lessons, games, extensions, and strategies that will engage your Linguistic learners. Purpose to include one a week.
Reference:
Comments