Speaking of Language

S2E6 - Celeste Kinginger - Language Learning in Intercultural Encounters Abroad

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.

S2E5 - Derron Borders - Language House at Cornell University

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.

S2E4 - Stephanie Divo - Cornell’s Chinese Language Program

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.

S2E3 - Lisa Sansoucy - Languages Across the Curriculum

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.

S2E2 - Bill VanPatten - Talkin’ L2 with BVP

In this episode, LRC director Angelika Kraemer is joined by Bill VanPatten, host of the popular SLA radio show Tea with BVP. They discuss two perennial issues in language teaching: the roles of input and output and the role of explicit teaching. Bill also offers some advice for new and seasoned language teachers.

 

Listen live to Bill’s new call-in radio show, TalkinL2 with BVP, at http://www.talkinl2withbvp.com/. The show airs on Wednesdays at 6 pm ET.

S2E1 - Angelika Kraemer - Communicative Language Teaching

Today, we introduce Angelika Kraemer, the new director of the Language Resource Center at Cornell University. In the first episode of our second season, Angelika speaks with Sam Lupowitz, the LRC’s media manager, about communicative language teaching: using your immediate surroundings to contextualize your expression and interpretation of language.

Dr. Angelika Kraemer is the Director of the Language Resource Center at Cornell University. She also currently serves as Co-Editor of the journal Die Unterrichtspraxis/Teaching German published by the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) and as Co-Coordinator of the International Association for Language Learning Technology (IALLT) Survey Committee. Angelika’s research interests include technology-enhanced language learning, program development, early language learning, community engagement and service learning, and assessment. When she is not in Stimson, you’ll find her running around Beebe Lake, watching Netflix, drinking tea, or traveling.

As Media Development Manager at the Cornell LRC, Sam Lupowitz is the lord and master of all things audio and video. Though he normally controls Speaking of Language from the shadows, on some days he simply cannot restrain his need for the spotlight. Outside of the Language Resource Center, he is an active part of the Ithaca, New York music scene as a keyboard player, bassist, vocalist, and songwriter. He is currently writing this in the third person.

S1E13 - Dick Feldman - Language, Technology, and the Future

Dick Feldman is director of the Language Resource Center at Cornell University, and has been so for nineteen years. Dick is retiring in a couple of months, so in this episode of Speaking of Language, we discuss some bigger-picture ideas, such as the importance of having a unit dedicated to technology support in language learning. We talk about teachers’ attitudes towards technology, and what the future might look like for language teaching at Cornell.

S1E12 - Meejeong Song - The Korean Language Program at Cornell

In this episode, we sit down with Meejeong Song, senior lecturer and coordinator for the Korean language program at Cornell University. We talk about the wide set of teaching schools that she utilizes for her classes, from facilitating teacher/student interaction via web-based audio, to coordinating travel abroad programs in which students are learning Korean while immersed in the rich culture of South Korea.

Ms. Song received her M.A. in Korean Studies (Teaching Korean as a Second Language) in 1998 and her B.A. in Korean Language and Literature (Major) and English Language and Literature (Minor) in 1995 from Ewha Women’s University, Seoul, South Korea.  Her M.A. Thesis Title: A Study on Using Small-Group Work to Teach Korean as a Foreign Language to Beginners.

Ms. Song has experience teaching all levels of Korean at Cornell. Her research interests include Second Language Acquisition, web-based teaching material development, interactive student group project development, and technology-aided teaching methodology, etc. She is an active member of AATK (American Association of Teachers of Korean), ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) and MLA (Modern Language Association). She has been conducting various summer projects supported by a grant from the Consortium for Language Teaching and Learning, and creating the course project websites with students.

Ms. Song is actively attending various workshops and talks related to language teaching. She loves teaching Korean and also learning other languages. She speaks Japanese at the intermediate level and is hoping to learn Chinese in the near future.

On October 13, 2014 Ms. Song was featured on Daily Edventures by Microsoft, which highlights global heroes in education. Please follow the link to see the interview with Ms. Song.

https://www.facebook.com/KoreanLanguageProgramAtCornellUniversity/

S1E11 - María Luisa Parra - Art, Language, and Culture

What is the connection between art and language classes? Dick Feldman from the Cornell Language Resource Center talks to María Luisa Parra, Senior Preceptor in Romance Languages and Literatures from Harvard University. They discuss how visual art can function as a link to culture that can build a deeper connection to, and fluency in, language.

“Considered as “windows” into other cultures’ perspectives and world views, visual arts allow for the use of languages to describe, retell, analyze and think critically about cultures. Students benefit from these pedagogical exercises as they build their translingual and transcultural competencies, along with a deeper understanding of the ‘Other’.”

For further information, view Dr. Parra’s paper, “Expanding Language and Cultural Competence In Advanced Heritage- and Foreign-Language Learners through Community Engagement and Work with the Arts” from the Heritage Language Journal, or watch her talk “Designing Magic Portals,” delivered at the Cornell Language Resource Center following the recording of this episode.

S1E10 - Alice Wu - Global Nomads and Third Culture Kids

Where do you call home? In this episode, we speak to Alice Wu, an intercultural consultant at Cornell University. Alice is the creator of a series of films about Global Nomads and Third Culture Kids: people who have spent their developmental years living in multiple countries, building relationships to many cultures “while not having full ownership in any” (David Pollock). Alice discusses the challenges and benefits of growing up this way, and what people of transcultural backgrounds have to offer our increasingly interconnected world.

Alice’s films are available at https://sales.lrc.cornell.edu/collections/intercultural-materials

“Global Nomads in the Age of Technology is a fascinating series of interviews with today’s university students who come from a wide range of internationally mobile childhood experiences. It not only showcases the increasing cultural complexity of those called Global Nomads/Third Culture Kids, but also helps us answer the question: “Has technology changed the GN/TCK experience?” It is intriguing to hear fresh insights into how they perceive and use the wealth of their individual stories.
I highly recommend this for all who want to know more about how it is for today’s youth who are growing up among many different cultures.”
– Ruth E Van Reken, co-author, Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds, 3rd edition