2008 Woodie Awards
Robinson to House Language Floors
Lori Shull
Issue date: 3/9/05 Section: Features
As the new residence hall nears completion, there are many changes taking place elsewhere in Goucher housing.
Among other additions, next year Goucher will have fully functional foreign language floors.
Mainly responsible for the new changes are Cristina Saenz-de-Tejada, Chair of Modern Languages, and Nathalie Heinry, Instructor of Modern Languages, though the other language professors have helped with the project.
Aiding the language professors to develop ideas and programs were students Marissa Smith, '05, Jenn Harding, '07, and Aviva Bergman, '08. Of the students' role, Bergman said, "We've been student contacts, coming up with ideas and doing what we can to get the word out." This included going to visit language classes last semester to inform students and create interest and enthusiasm for the newly redesigned program.
The entire concept of the language house at Goucher has been redone and improved upon. Due to a lack of interest and organization, there were never many cultural activities on earlier language floors.
According to Bergman, in the past the floors have existed in name only, with very few people actually interested in speaking foreign languages living on the floor. Many of the students who have chosen to live there only chose that option because those were the only rooms available when their numbers were called for room draw, according to Bergman.
In previous years, the language floors were housed in Tuttle. Next year, however, they will be moved into Robinson and will be available for application only. This is to ensure that those living there will have an interest in learning and improving their language skills.
The application is very simple, asking for basic information and including a few questions about the linguistic backgrounds of the applicants.
Students with any level of language proficiency is eligible to live in the language house, from beginners to language majors to people coming back or preparing to go abroad.
Among other additions, next year Goucher will have fully functional foreign language floors.
Mainly responsible for the new changes are Cristina Saenz-de-Tejada, Chair of Modern Languages, and Nathalie Heinry, Instructor of Modern Languages, though the other language professors have helped with the project.
Aiding the language professors to develop ideas and programs were students Marissa Smith, '05, Jenn Harding, '07, and Aviva Bergman, '08. Of the students' role, Bergman said, "We've been student contacts, coming up with ideas and doing what we can to get the word out." This included going to visit language classes last semester to inform students and create interest and enthusiasm for the newly redesigned program.
The entire concept of the language house at Goucher has been redone and improved upon. Due to a lack of interest and organization, there were never many cultural activities on earlier language floors.
According to Bergman, in the past the floors have existed in name only, with very few people actually interested in speaking foreign languages living on the floor. Many of the students who have chosen to live there only chose that option because those were the only rooms available when their numbers were called for room draw, according to Bergman.
In previous years, the language floors were housed in Tuttle. Next year, however, they will be moved into Robinson and will be available for application only. This is to ensure that those living there will have an interest in learning and improving their language skills.
The application is very simple, asking for basic information and including a few questions about the linguistic backgrounds of the applicants.
Students with any level of language proficiency is eligible to live in the language house, from beginners to language majors to people coming back or preparing to go abroad.