Post on 22-Mar-2016
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Learning a new language can be difficult and challenging. We’ve all heard the best way to
learn a language is by speaking it, right? Now, you have the opportunity to learn, interact and im-
prove your speaking skills with college students like you! The Globe is located at the corner of Clay-
ton and Lumpkin Streets in the heart of the "classic city" of Athens, Georgia. The Globe offers a
learner-friendly atmosphere every Tuesday from 5 to 6 pm to students who are interested in improv-
ing their speaking skills in Spanish or Portuguese. This is a great way to learn a new language, meet
new people, improve your speaking skills and you have UGA and GSC professors who are willing to
answer any questions you may have.
Mr. LaValle’s Spanish 2002 class from Oconee and his two 2001 classes from Oakwood
attended Tuesday, October 11. Everyone had a positive experience. We laughed, we talked, we
played games and left much more confident in our ability to communicate in freestyle Spanish con-
versation then when we entered. By the end of the evening students from Oakwood, Oconee and
UGA were exchanging phone numbers and planning their next experience at the Globe!
Learning a new language can be so much fun!!
By Natalia Sanchez
S P E C I A L
P O I N T S O F
I N T E R E S T :
FL Lecture Series
Set for 2011-2012
Students win high
honors in annual
AATSP Composition
Contest
Students earn high
honors for work in
foreign languages
Students teach/
learn at local
schools
Study abroad trip to
Spain in 2012
I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E :
Letter to the editor 2
Composition Contest
Results 2
FL Awards 3
Student excels despite
hardships 3
Student testimonials 4-5
Study abroad in Spain in
2012 6
Hispanic Food Contest
Winners 7
G A I N E S V I L L E S T A T E C O L L E G E
F O R E I G N L A N G U A G E N E W S L E T T E R
Linguae et Litterae Fall 2011 Volume 2, Issue 1
Prof. Joe Lavalle and his students
enjoy time well spent at The Globe in
Athens.
Dear Colleagues, Students and
Friends of Gainesville State College,
As in the Spring, this Sum-
mer and Fall many changes took
place in the ever changing face of
Foreign languages here at Gaines-
ville State. First, Dr. Eric Skipper was
named Interim Dean of Humanities
and Fine Arts. Second, Dr. Amye
Sukapdjo was named Interim Chair
of Foreign Languages as FL became
its own department again.
Probably the most noticea-
ble change, students, faculty and
staff moved into the brand new, state-
of-the arts Academic IV Building on
the Oakwood Campus.
I, for one, am very excited
about these changes and believe they
will only strengthen the foreign lan-
guages program here at GSC.
One final change is the for-
mat of this newsletter. We are now
dedicated to being the voice of the
students. As you will note, all of the
articles are dedicated to student ex-
periences and achievements. Most of
them are even written by students
themselves. This format is very fitting
as GSC is a student-focused, learning-
centered academic institution.
I hope you enjoy reading this
issue as much as I have enjoyed put-
ting it together.
Have a great rest of the se-
mester and academic year!
Sincerely,
Ryan N. Boylan
Students of Sara Burns, Associate Professor of Spanish (Oconee Campus), won the annual AATSP (American Association
of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese) Georgia Spanish Composition Contest. They were:
Christopher Fogal—SPANISH 1001; Joy Smith, Heather Hoskins, and Jeremy Mize—SPAN 1002; and Rachel Bridges, Court-
ney Stinchcomb, and Hannah Tindol—SPAN 2001.
College and University students participate in the composition contests each year. They are given two topics from which to
choose a theme for an essay that must be written in one hour.
The themes for writing and the rubrics by which the writing is judged are created for each level of ability.
Each Fall and Spring, the Foreign Language Lecture Series hosts two lectures for students, faculty and staff.
In November, Dr. Julie Luebbers discussed how foreign language learners become more culturally aware and why cultural
competence is vital to the efficacy of foreign language learning and teaching.
In February, Dr. Fernando O. Reati of Georgia State University will talk candidly about his life, imprisonment and the physi-
cal abuse he endured during Argentina’s Dirty War in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.
L e t t e r f r o m t h e E d i t o r
STUDENTS OF SPANISH WON THE ANNUAL AATSP COMPOSITION CONTEST,
(OCONEE CAMPUS), 2011
By Prof. Sara Burns
P a g e 2
F o r e i g n L a n g u a g e L e c t u r e S e r i e s S e t
F o r 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
By Ryan Boylan
L i n g u a e e t L i t t e r a e
Even as she was a beginner in French,
she started teaching her baby French.
They presently converse together in
English, Spanish or French. Caitlin
excelled in class throughout her GSC
career finishing with more than 90
hours of course credit and a 3.8 GPA.
She received regular invitations to join
Phi Theta Kappa but had to allocate
her money for course fees rather than
subsequent honors. Still she was twice
awarded the Excellence in French and
the Outstanding French Student
awards.
Despite family emergencies
and priorities Caitlin finished her Asso-
ciate’s degree in both languages and
education in the Spring of 2011. At
this culminating moment Caitlin’s
second child, her daughter Rosalie
was born. “Armed” with two children,
Caitlin is shooting for bigger and better
academic achievements as she has
entered the GSC Baccalaureate pro-
gram in Early Childhood Education.
Kayci Saxon won the Excellence in Spanish
Award, 3rd prize
(Student of Instructor Tiffany Haymore)
William DeWitt won the José Martí Excellence in
Spanish Award, 1st prize. (Student of Associate
Professor Sara Burns)
Stephanie Cave, Chelsea Gress, Josh Johns and
Rachel Treadwell won the Excellence in Spanish
Award, 2nd prize
(Stephanie Cave, student of Instructor Tiffany
Haymore and Chelsea Gress, Josh Johns and
Rachel Treadwell, students of Associate Profes-
sor Sara Burns)
man;
Hyun Jeong Jeon—Excellence
in Japanese;
Elisha D. Odum—Excellence in
French;
Caitlin Rodriguez—Outstanding
Student in French;
Joseph Edward Stallings—Jose
Marti Excellence in Spanish
Award;
Matthew T. Thompson—
Excellence in Spanish; and
David Thomas—Outstanding
Student in Spanish.
Congratulations to all on your
accomplishments!
In the Spring, 8 students were
recognized for their exemplary
performance in their respec-
tive Foreign Languages with
awards from the faculty. The
honorees are as follows:
Brandon Bowerman—
Outstanding student in Japa-
nese;
Mary-Kathleen Collin—
Outstanding student in Ger-
F o r e i g n L a n g u a g e S t u d e n t E x c e l s
D e s p i t e h a r d s h i p s
By Dr. Steven Crawford
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF SPANISH AWARDS
(OCONEE CAMPUS), 2011
By Prof. Sara Burns
F o r e i g n L a n g u a g e s t u d e n t s
h o n o r e d i n s p r i n g !
By Prof. Garry Merritt
P a g e 3 V o l u m e 2 , I s s u e 1
Caitlin Rodriguez entered
GSC in the fall of 2007 reading, writ-
ing, speaking, comparing, translating,
studying and challenging multiple
languages. Her initial goal was the
Associate’s degree in French and
Spanish to which she added certifica-
tion in elementary education in the
spring of 2008. She accelerated her
studies in the summer months. Her
first child, son Nathan, was born in
August 2008. Mother and son were to
be, and are language study partners.
Caitlin was forced to skip coursework
that fall to take care of Nathan and
the family.
The new Mom adapted to
family and study pressures by taking
night classes in the Spring of 2009.
My name is Missy Smith and I am a student in Mrs. Jordan’s Spanish II class. I work at Oconee County Elementary
School as a Paraprofessional with third grade. Since I have been in Mrs. Jordan’s class, I have gained more knowledge in
learning how to speak Spanish and feel more confident in doing so. At my elementary school, I have a group of students
that I help keep organized and ensure that their homework is completed. While helping my students, I am able to welcome
them by saying, “Hola. ¿Cómo estás?” Then asking, “¿Hiciste tu tarea?” I feel that my students are more comfortable with
me because I can speak a little Spanish and understand the difficulties they may have with translating their language into
English. I believe that having the opportunity to learn another language is great. Not only is speaking another language fun
and exciting, but it is also beneficial in many other ways. Speaking Spanish has benefited me and the students with which I
work educationally .
B e i n g a p a r a p r o f e s s i o n a l H a s H e l p e d
m e w i t h m y L a n g u a g e S t u d i e s
By Missy Smith
P a g e 4 L i n g u a e e t L i t t e r a e
Local Restautrant Outing Helps Facilitate Foreign Language Learning
By Meg Andrews
Last month my fellow classmates and I visited one of the local Mexican restaurants, La Parrilla in Watkinsville.
Every semester professor Carmen Jordan takes her students from the Spanish 1002 class to experience Mexican cuisine.
This particular activity allows the students to come closer to an element of the Mexican culture. Along with encouraging the
students to use their knowledge they have acquired about the language in the chapter concentrating on restaurants and
food, we were able to have a conversation in Spanish with the waiters and a few even ordered their food in Spanish. It was
a great way to practice our vocabulary verbally, and to learn more about one another in a relaxed atmosphere.
Students work diligently at Oconee County
Elementary School.
World Language Academy
By Mark David Wozniak, II
P a g e 5 V o l u m e 2 , I s s u e 1
I believe that we each have a duty to share our passion with others. My passion is foreign languages: learning
them, speaking them, analyzing them and teaching them. I always struggled to share that passion with others because I
never had the opportunity to do so. Fortunately that all changed when I saw a flyer at GSC in search of students interested
in volunteering at the World Language Academy. WLA is a public charter elementary school here in Hall County that offers a
dual-immersion approach to education and does so with passion and excellence, a perfect place for me to do what I love.
I emailed Dr. Apahidean right away because I was so eager to help in any way possible. Just a few days later I
found myself in front of the school. I was not sure what to expect walking into a classroom full of 2nd graders with no prior
experience volunteering in an elementary school setting. I stepped into the room and was greeted with wide eyes and goofy
smiles; that alone was enough to confirm that I had made the right decision. I was blown away by the eagerness to learn
and impressive abilities of the students, I was enjoying every moment of my time at WLA.
As a volunteer I was asked to assist the students with their Spanish writing skills and to encourage the students to
converse in Spanish. I volunteered during the reading and writing block of the day and would help the students with their
creative writing journals. Hearing students share stories about their favorite vacation, family pet, or cherished toy brought
back memories of my childhood and the excitement that accompanied those years. I was present to listen, encourage, and
guide the students as they wrote, answering questions about vocabulary and correcting spelling or syntax errors. The way
the students used Spanish with ease and fluidity was unexpected, It made my job all the more enjoyable.
Although I was volunteering to help others and share my passion, I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that I
was learning much more from the students than I could ever teach them. I was able to teach them new words, how to better
express themselves, and how to spell correctly; but they taught me how to worry less, how to listen attentively, and the val-
ue of time and individual attention. I could not have asked for a greater reward.
I gained great experience during my time volunteering at the World Language Academy. The chance I had to share
my passion and the values I learned from the students make it impossible to resist sharing about this opportunity to
contribute to our next generation’s education. Sometimes teaching is the best way to learn.
A teacher in action at
WLA.
Next May, students will have the opportunity to travel to and study in Spain. The trip is one of many offered by
EFTours to Spain and was selected by Prof. Joe Lavalle because it allows students to see so much of Spain. This 11-day
trip, Experience Spain, will start in Madrid, Spain, where students will spend two days exploring place like the Prado Muse
um and the Palacio Real. Students will then make there way to Toledo where they will spend a day exploring the home town
of artist El Greco, Dominikos Theotokopulos. Form there, they will head to Sevilla for two days. They will spend the next two
days in Granada and Cordoba, visiting La Alhambra, and La mezquita de Cordoba, among other places before heading to \
Barcelona. The experience will culminate there.
While exploring the culture, history and language of Spain, students will have the opportunity to earn up to 6 cred
it hours by taking a creative writing class with English professor Dr. Leslie Worthington, a culture class with Art professor
John Amoss or a Spanish Conversation course with Spanish professor Joe Lavalle.
This promises to be an experience no one will forget!
M a y m e s t e r S t u d y A b r o a d t o S p a i n
P l a n n e d f o r 2 0 1 2 !
By Ryan Boylan
P a g e 6 L i n g u a e e t L i t t e r a e
Foreign Language Film Festivals For Fall/Spring
By Dr. Amye R. Sukapdjo
This Fall, the Foreign Language Film Festival highlighted French language films. The films Persepolis and OSS
117 were shown in September and October, respectively. On Thursday, November 17, students were treated to Paris, je
taime. All films were shown in French with English subtitles.
In the Spring, students will be able to watch three Spanish films. Como Agua Para Chocolate will be shown on
Thursday, February 23, El Norte will be shown on Thursday, March 22, and Maria Llena De Gracia will be shown on Thurs-
day, April 19, in Acad IV, room 3110B at 7:00PM. All films will be shown in Spanish with English subtitles.
Entry to each film is $1 and all proceeds go to benefit the South Hall Community Food Pantry. This fall, the
Department of Foreign Languages was able to donate $120 to them thanks to you.
We hope to see you at the movies in the Spring.
The following officers and members of Spanish Club, Oconee Campus won
the Hispanic Food Contest during Hispanic Heritage Festival celebration.
Salads
Nopal Salad won 1st prize, prepared by officer Suleica García
Dips
Mexican Dip won 1st prize, prepared by member Meagan Tant
Guacamole Dip won 2nd prize, prepared by member Chloé Chandler
Casseroles
Mexican Casserole won 1st prize, prepared by member Mary Easton
Chorizo con huevos won 2nd prize, prepared by officer Pa Dao Khang
Desserts
Mexican Wedding Cookies won 1st prize, prepared by officer Madison Hood
Flan won 2nd prize, prepared by member Steve Reyes
Editor-in-Chief: Ryan N. Boylan
rboylan@gsc.edu
Advisor: Dr. Amye R. Sukapdjo
Faculty Contributors: Prof. Sara Burns, Dr.
Steven Crawford, Prof. Garry Merritt, Dr. Amye
Sukapdjo
Student contributors: Meg Andrews, Natalia
Sanchez, Missy Smith, Mark David Wozniak II
The goal of this publication is to keep the faculty, staff and espe-
cially the students of Gainesville State College aware of the
breadth of experiences that are going on in the Foreign Lan-
guage Program. This program is still young and growing and as it
does, look to Linguae et Litterae for all pertinent news.
G A I N E S V I L L E S T A T E
C O L L E G E
F O R E I G N L A N G U A G E
N E W S L E T T E R
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE HISPANIC FOOD CONTEST
(OCONEE CAMPUS), 2011
By Prof. Sara Burns
LINGUAE ET LITTERAE
Oconee campus Spanish students enjoy the
fruits of their labors after the Hispanic Food
contest.