Spring Break
Students encouraged to learn foreign languages
Jessica Leggin / Campus Editor
Issue date: 1/14/09 Section: News
Language and literature are both essential to studying English and foreign languages.
The Modern Language Association has recognized such and wants departments in these studies to help students expand their study of language.
This organization believes that all English majors should have language skills to study literature in another language and that foreign language majors should be able to study literature in English. The MLA is dedicated to bringing awareness to study, criticism and research in English and foreign language studies.
Stephen A. Canfield, department chair for the foreign language department, thinks this idea is fantastic.
"It seems as if this group of people are taking a shift back to a more traditional emphasis," he said.
Canfield said in the foreign language department professors are constantly comparing the foreign language they teach to English.
"We do this so students become more grounded," he said. "It helps students get a better grasp of their own language."
Canfield said there is not a requirement for students to take up any courses in order to develop the language skills in English but there are three elements within the program that help them do so.
"The bulk of it is in the language they are studying, also to have two semesters of another foreign language and three to nine semester hour courses taught in English pertinent to the language they are studying," he said.
When it comes to the English department, there is no requirement to take up a foreign language.
Dana Ringuette, department chair for the English department, said there is a lot to think about when requiring students to obtain literature skills in another language.
"We encourage students to try to take courses in another language so they can take advance classes and apply it towards their major," he said. "We never discourage students to do otherwise."
Ringuette feels if a student takes the steps to learn another language they could become well educated.
"I think there is no doubt, having more experience and familiarity with language will develop into a much more educated person," he said.
Canfield said there are students who take a foreign language as a major and minor in English and students who major in English and minor in a foreign language.
"These are the kinds of people (the MLA) are talking about," he said. "They are just pushing a greater awareness and showing the bond between cross in disciplinary activity and the importance of it."
Canfield said there are some ways that Eastern shows the importance of foreign language throughout campus.
"There are a lot of students who realize a value of second language proficiency and some are not from Arts and Humanities," he said.
Canfield said there are some business and science majors who do take a foreign language as a minor because they know how essential it would be for them in the future.
"There are a list of program options available to students that require intermediate proficiency in a second language and the immense growth of the Study Abroad program," he said.
Canfield said he wants this idea stretched out to all curricula.
"I want to see the push for greater importance across the curriculum such as in science and business majors," he said. "It's important to emphasis because it gives students access to opportunities, programs and experiences that have great potential that would have not been available without that proficiency in another language."
Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmleggin@eiu.edu.
The Modern Language Association has recognized such and wants departments in these studies to help students expand their study of language.
This organization believes that all English majors should have language skills to study literature in another language and that foreign language majors should be able to study literature in English. The MLA is dedicated to bringing awareness to study, criticism and research in English and foreign language studies.
Stephen A. Canfield, department chair for the foreign language department, thinks this idea is fantastic.
"It seems as if this group of people are taking a shift back to a more traditional emphasis," he said.
Canfield said in the foreign language department professors are constantly comparing the foreign language they teach to English.
"We do this so students become more grounded," he said. "It helps students get a better grasp of their own language."
Canfield said there is not a requirement for students to take up any courses in order to develop the language skills in English but there are three elements within the program that help them do so.
"The bulk of it is in the language they are studying, also to have two semesters of another foreign language and three to nine semester hour courses taught in English pertinent to the language they are studying," he said.
When it comes to the English department, there is no requirement to take up a foreign language.
Dana Ringuette, department chair for the English department, said there is a lot to think about when requiring students to obtain literature skills in another language.
"We encourage students to try to take courses in another language so they can take advance classes and apply it towards their major," he said. "We never discourage students to do otherwise."
Ringuette feels if a student takes the steps to learn another language they could become well educated.
"I think there is no doubt, having more experience and familiarity with language will develop into a much more educated person," he said.
Canfield said there are students who take a foreign language as a major and minor in English and students who major in English and minor in a foreign language.
"These are the kinds of people (the MLA) are talking about," he said. "They are just pushing a greater awareness and showing the bond between cross in disciplinary activity and the importance of it."
Canfield said there are some ways that Eastern shows the importance of foreign language throughout campus.
"There are a lot of students who realize a value of second language proficiency and some are not from Arts and Humanities," he said.
Canfield said there are some business and science majors who do take a foreign language as a minor because they know how essential it would be for them in the future.
"There are a list of program options available to students that require intermediate proficiency in a second language and the immense growth of the Study Abroad program," he said.
Canfield said he wants this idea stretched out to all curricula.
"I want to see the push for greater importance across the curriculum such as in science and business majors," he said. "It's important to emphasis because it gives students access to opportunities, programs and experiences that have great potential that would have not been available without that proficiency in another language."
Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmleggin@eiu.edu.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Alicja
posted 1/14/09 @ 8:27 AM CST
The more languages a student can learn, the better! That's for sure. It's great to hear many students are realizing the benefits of learning new languages, from all different majors. (Continued…)
J
posted 1/15/09 @ 2:11 PM CST
It's a noble gesture, but not very practical. There just aren't enough places within a 100-200 mile radius, maybe further, that would provide anyone the ability to reinforce a particular foreign language they might have learned. (Continued…)
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