The newly founded Institute of World Languages held its inaugural fall symposium in Newcomb Ballroom Thursday, where University faculty participated in round-table discussions about how the institute plans on reinventing the way in which foreign languages will be taught at the University.
The symposium, titled “The Future of Language Study at U.Va.,” featured notable members of the foreign language community in both the public sector and in higher education. Speakers said foreign language classes should go beyond teaching the mechanics of language and instead teach students to communicate fully with the citizens of other countries.
Italian Prof. Cristina Della Coletta was excited about the institute’s potential to enhance the foreign language experience at the University. “Coming from a small Italian program, I see the synergy between departments and it is very exciting,” she said.
The institute’s steering committee, composed of representatives from various language departments, hopes better cooperation between the language departments and entities like the International Studies Office will enrich study abroad experiences.
Scott McGinnis, a professor at the Defense Language Institute, a subset of the the Department of Defense that focuses on language as it relates to national security, said studying abroad should be enhanced through coupling the experience with vocational opportunities.
“Study abroad without a follow-up is a lost opportunity,” he said. “Learning a vocation at the same time will have lasting effects on learners.”
The Institute of World Languages also hopes to increase student access to more obscure languages. For example, students will soon be able to take Creole — a language not offered at the University — remotely through a program developed with Duke University, with classes taking place in the Robertson Media Center in Clemons Library.
Read More
Department of Education reverses course, awards Federal Executive Institute to U.Va.
By Ford McCracken | 2 days agoThe ED had previously awarded the institute to Charlottesville City Schools.
Students reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis
By Bertie Azqueta | 2 days agoAt the University, students shared a range of perspectives on his legacy of reform, inclusivity and his impact on the global Catholic community.
What does the University’s contract with dining service Aramark entail?
By Brandon Kile | 3 days agoThe Cavalier Daily submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the University for its contract with Aramark to understand the specific terms of the agreement.
