Students Enjoy Renovated Language Lab

Renovated Language Lab

January was a busy month of renovation for Jewell Hall when Jewell 203, the room housing the language lab, was repainted, cleaned up and supplied with new furnishings and equipment thanks to a Leaning Environments Grant whose goal was to renovate learning spaces. The new lab was finished just in time to open for spring semester. From 9 am to approximately 5:30 during the school work, students may use the lab during open hours to work with a language assistant or a lab assistant for conversation, speaking tests, homework help or composition support. Sometimes they prefer to work individually here, since the atmosphere and furnishings are so much more welcoming and comfortable. The language assistants now hold their lab sections that support language courses in the new space and the response has been favorable. Here are a few photos showing the new lab in use.

A lab session for FRE 353 Poetry and Civilization in which students are both working at computers or using the conversation area for work on elocution and recitation for their poetry class.

Students utilizing the lab during open hours with the help of our two language assistants, Carlos Peral-Dorado (Spanish) and Nicolas Clercy (French).

A lab session for SPA 330 Hispanic Civilization and Literature in which students are viewing a short video in the conversation area in preparation for discussion module.

Lydia Berns: A favorite memory from studying abroad in Jordan

Lydia Berns, Arabic Area Studies minor, traveled last fall to Amman, Jordan to complete her study abroad requirement. During that time, she made a series of videos about some trips that she took and is excited to share with us one of her favorites.

Here is her description:

"Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:13-17(ESV)

There are many biblical locations in Jordan. One of the most well known, is the baptism site of Jesus Christ.  I had the opportunity to visit this location while studying in Jordan this past fall. While there, I made a video to capture some of the emotion I was feeling while visiting this site.  In the video you will see two main locations. 

The first location is the baptism site.  This area no longer has water flowing to it, as it was an off shoot of the Jordan River, but there are many churches that once stood at this location marking it as the baptismal site.

 The second, is the actual Jordan River.  The Jordan River is the line that separates Jordan from Israel/Palestine.  While standing on the Jordan side of the river, you can see the Israeli flag.  Many people come to this location to be baptized in the waters of the Jordan River, just like Jesus did 2000 years ago.

(Music: Forgiven and Loved by Jimmy Needham)

Students in Chinese Enjoy Practicing Calligraphy

Students in Chinese 111 Beginning Chinese I

This week Ms. Yachu Liu led her beginning Chinese students in a calligraphy lesson. Using genuine supplies, the students had an opportunity to practice the art of writing Chinese.

Afterwards, many were proud to show their accomplishment!