Living and learning community based on French, Spanish languages

salvetoday Posted On September 16, 2014
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Salve Regina has launched a residential living and learning community allowing students to focus on their target language of either French or Spanish.

During the 2014-2015 academic year, nine Salve Regina students are living in Carnlough Cottage with two Fulbright language teaching assistants – Romina Fetta from Argentina and Christelle Miskizak from France.

The students signed an honor code to speak only in the target language while in the house. In addition, they will host cultural events at the house and participate in weekly language tables along with the broader University community.

“As this house project is growing, more cultural exchange is taking place, such as Latin dinners, movie nights, board games, volunteering at primary schools and other engaging cross-cultural activities,” Fetta said. “What I enjoy the most about this involvement is to be in contact with other cultures and share different ways to see the world.”

The house residents are aiming to become fluent in their target language for a variety of personal and professional reasons, and are seeking to engage with and share the French and Spanish language and the cultures they represent with the broader community.

Interested members of the Salve Regina community are invited to join the language tables for an informal chat in French or Spanish over lunch.

  • French language tables are held from noon to 1 p.m. Mondays in the Miley Hall executive dining room and 1-2 p.m. Tuesdays in Global Cafe.
  • Spanish language tables are held from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays in the Miley Hall executive dining room and 1-2 p.m. Thursdays in Global Cafe.

“Being non-native English speakers, we know what it means to learn a foreign language and how hard it can be,” Miskizak said. “Good news! We are here to help. Come join us in the language house/language tables for some cool activities, lots of sharing and language exchange, whether you are a beginner or already advanced.”

The French and Spanish living and learning community is a collaboration between the Office of International Programs and the Department of Modern and Classical Languages.