Speaking of Language

Members of Cornell’s student organization Language Expansion Program discuss the importance of language learning on campus in a comfortable, encouraging environment. Their weekly event Language Corner takes place at the Language Resource Center in Stimson Hall G27.

Stéphane Charitos, Language Resource Center director at Columbia University, discusses current national trends in language study and suggests four practical recommendations that can help uphold visibility and the importance of world language education in the U.S. The reports Stéphane references can be found here: American Academy of Arts & Sciences report: Commission on Language Learning. The American Academy of Arts & Sciences. (2016). The state of languages in the U.S.: A statistical portrait. Retrieved from https://www.amacad.org/multimedia/pdfs/publications/researchpapersmonographs/State-of-Languages-in-US.pdf National K-12 foreign language enrollment survey: American Councils for International Education (2017). The national K-12 foreign language enrollment survey report. Retrieved from https://www.americancouncils.org/sites/default/files/FLE-report-June17.pdf MLA enrollment report: Looney, D., & Lusin, N. (2018). Enrollments in languages other than English in United States institutions of higher education, Summer 2016 and fall 2016: Preliminary report. Retrieved fromhttps://www.mla.org/content/download/83540/2197676/2016%E2%80%90Enrollments%E2%80%90Short%E2%80%90Report.pdf

Patsy Lightbown, Distinguished Professor Emerita in Applied Linguistics at Concordia University, joins our podcast to discuss form-focused instruction and the balance between form-focused and meaning-focused learning activities.

In this episode, Jeremy Thompson, Research Associate and Lecturer in Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, shares his experience with Jumpstart and Foreign Languages Across the Curriculum courses.

In this episode, Dan Gaibel and Angelika Kraemer talk about the role of technology in language learning. They discuss benefits and challenges of utilizing technology for language learning and share some of their personal favorites.

In this episode, Maureen Morris from the Library and Melina Draper from the Center for Teaching Innovation speak about the Cornell Portal. They explain the history of the Portal and ways it can be used for intercultural encounters that can enhance language and culture learning. The gold-painted shipping container is located just outside of Olin Library on the Arts Quad and is on campus through November 2018.

In this episode, Celeste Kinginger, Professor of Applied Linguistics at the Pennsylvania State University, joins our podcast to discuss what helps and hinders advancing language proficiency while studying abroad, including social-interactive and pragmatic aspects of language acquisition. Celeste also provides advice for students and instructors to make the most of their time abroad.

In this episode, Angelika Kraemer speaks with Derron Borders, the Residence Hall Director of Cornell’s Language House. They explore the history of the Language House and some of the current events and activities that allow residents and guests to immerse themselves in their language learning experience.

In this episode, we are joined by Stephanie Divo, Senior Lecturer in Asian Studies and Language Program Director of Mandarin Chinese. Stephanie talks about her program’s two-pronged approach to teaching beginning Chinese, fact and act.

In this episode, Angelika Kraemer speaks with Lisa Sansoucy, coordinator of language learning initiatives at the LRC, about LAC – the Languages Across the Curriculum initiative. Lisa outlines the history and structure of the program and they discuss the importance of interdisciplinary learning and teaching in today’s global society.