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]