Author: Daphné

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How to learn a language without taking classes

This article is aimed at those of you who want to learn a language, but, for whatever reason, don’t have time to take classes at Reed. On campus, we’re really lucky to have access to all kinds of resources that allow you to study and practice languages at your own pace!

  1. Tutoring

Even if you only have 10 minutes, feel free to come by the Language Lab to spend some time with a language tutor. All of them are super friendly and supportive, and happy to help you no matter what stage in your language-learning you’re at. Drop-in hours will be soon be posted on the bulletin board in the Lab, and you can get to know a little bit about the tutors through our Tutor Interviews Series on this blog.

2. Language houses

If you plan on living on campus next year, consider living in a Language House! In these houses, you’ll be surrounded by other students looking to learn (or already speakers of) the same target language, and you’ll be roommates with a native-speaker language scholar! Also, whether you live in a Language House or not, everyone is welcome to the weekly events hosted there by the language scholars. These are great opportunities to practice your language, meet like-minded people, and eat yummy food!

3. Language scholars

Language scholars also hold office hours! If you have a question or just want to chat, you can drop them an email to find out when they’ll be in office.

4. Events

At the Language Lab, we often host fun (and catered!) events that are open to everyone regardless of language level, where we practice languages while doing a fun activity (in the past we’ve done craft nights, karaoke, and trivia). Also, apart from weekly events at the Language Houses, each language’s scholars are tasked with organising two larger events per semester, so look out for these!

5.Language Lab Blog

Finally, check out more posts on the blog! Here, we post media recommendations and free language-learning resources, and we announce events. Myself and Pulpi welcome you to our little nerdy community <3

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Tutor interviews: Sara Tapalova (Russian)

D: Hi Sara! Please introduce yourself to those who don’t know you.

S: My name is Sara and I’m a junior physics major. I’m a native Russian speaker, which is the main reason why I ended up as a Russian tutor. I was born and raised in Central Asia, so I was brought up in a very bilingual environment – I’ve been speaking Russian and Kazakh since I was a little baby, and if you asked me to choose a “first language” I wouldn’t be able to tell you… I started learning English when I was 6, so I know how to empathise with language-learners. If you feel nervous or embarrassed about mistakes, don’t be! I’ve been there too and I know how hard it is.

D: How and why did you decide to become a tutor?

S: I was appointed as an HA for Russian House last year, and most advanced Russian students are studying abroad in Central Asia or Estonia right now, which is great for them and their learning and growth, but it means that we kind of ran out of students to tutor. I think that’s why Amaan Mohiuddin (Tutor Program Director) reached out to me to be a tutor since I already have experience as an HA, and it was a great idea!

D: Any advice for Russian learners?

I have a couple of pieces of advice: first, seek non-Russian sources (Caucus, Central Asia, Baltic States, Eastern Europe). Unfortunately, the Russian-learning environment can be pretty strict in a toxic way, so broadening your sources can diversify your Russian and show you all of the different ways to speak this language. Secondly, don’t be afraid to speak. It’s obvious, but for Russian it truly is practice that makes perfect. It’s one thing to learn grammar, pronunciation, spelling, but if you never take that out into the real world, it’s hard to utilise it in practice. Finally, when I was learning English, for instance, I found “gradual replacement” to be really practical. You first take small aspects of your life one at a time (eg: phone settings) and you change them into Russian, and then from those casual things you can move onto things like switching out your literature and music for Russian.

D: Спасибо, Sara!

Editor’s note: Sara’s drop-in hours are posted in the Language Lab

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LANGUAGE LAB AT REED RESOURCE EXPO

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 11:30-1:30, QUAD (KAUL IN CASE OF RAIN)

You heard right. Get excited: the Language Labbies shall be attending the ball (Reed Student Resource Expo)! Ourselves and (of course) Pulpi the octopus will be tabling at the expo to show you all — student, staff, and faculty — the wonders of our humble oasis in the basement of the library.

If our mere presence is not enough to summon you, we offer you the chance to voice your opinion and maybe win a prize in our recommendation raffle! Also, the event is great way to learn more about the resources available to students in general, and free food will be provided.

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Easy Languages: Something for everyone!

Easy Languages is a YouTube channel, a resource, and most importantly a community for language speakers and learners all across the globe. From Swahili to Arabic to Russian to Esperanto and Greek and Spanish, Kazakh, Turkish and many more, the scale of resources available for language learners is immense! They describe themselves as so:

“We are a non-profit project aiming to help people learn languages through authentic street interviews. Our videos show local language and culture in natural, everyday situations – something you can’t find in regular media. Each episode has a specific topic and is produced in one of our many partner countries around the world – Mexico, France, Vietnam, Russia, Egypt, to name but a few. We add subtitles in both the local language and English so that regardless of your level, you will be able to hear, read and “see” the language in its local habitat.”

Easy Languages also cover regional and dialectical differences, and are updating their channels all the time with new languages, locations, and people! Below I have linked only the channels corresponding to languages taught at Reed, but you should check out their website whether the language you’re learning is offered at Reed or not: chances are they’ll have it!

So what do you think? Would you be interested in a Reed College version? Stay tuned…

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Beginner Arabic Youtube

Are you beginning to learn Arabic and in need of some fun and easy media to help boost your vocabulary? Look no further… !يالله

  1. All About Me

Tareq and Shireen are learning how to be kind and considerate friends! Tune in if you’re looking to fill your vocabulary with wholesome terms about friendship and sharing.

2. Arabic Fairytales

Arabic retellings of classic fairytales using simple language and helpful subtitles.

3. Totally Spies! Arabic

Subtitled episodes of Totally Spies! dubbed in Arabic! Ideal if you need something more sophisticated than fairytales.

4. Obayd Fox

Obayd Fox is a British Youtuber living in Saudi Arabia. As a fellow Arabic learner (albeit an advanced one), he tends to speak slightly more slowly than a native, and he usually uses الفصه 🙂

5. Learn Arabic with Khasu

Khasu is also an Arabic learner and a very talented teacher. His channel includes roleplays, skits, vocab lessons, and breakdowns of grammatical concepts.

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Meet a tutor: Lei Zhao (Chinese)

Hello, my name is Lei Zhao, and I come from the northeastern region of China, majoring in Mathematical Physics. I work as a Chinese language drop-in and individual tutor at the language lab. I am happy to help everyone learn Chinese and understand Chinese culture and history. You’re welcome to join my tutoring sessions to discuss related topics. Of course, if you are interested in or have any questions about Physics/Mathematics/Chemistry, I would be equally happy to discuss them with you.

你好，我叫赵光磊（Lei Zhao），我来自中国东北部地区，主修数学物理。我在language lab做汉语的drop-in和individual tutor。我乐意于帮助大家学习汉语，了解中国文化和历史。欢迎来我的tutor session跟我讨论相关的问题。当然，如果你对物理/数学/化学感兴趣或者有什么问题，我一样乐意一起去讨论。  

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Meet a tutor: Clara Hay (German)

Clara Hay ’26, German language tutor

Hi! I’m Clara, and I’m a sophomore Sociology major and German minor. I have taken German 311 and 342 and am super excited to help with German grammar, vocabulary, essays, speaking, or any other questions you might have! I’m available during drop-in sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays and  Thursdays, but feel free to reach out about other times during the week/weekend.

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Pain and Growth and Growing Pains in La vita bugiardi degli adulti

Lately I listen almost exclusively to Massive Attack. This is partly because they’re a great band and I love their music, but I’d be lying if it wasn’t also largely out of a burning desire to embody some of the coolness radiated by Giovanna, also known as Giovà or Giannina, the brooding and complex heroine of La vita bugiardi degli adulti (The Lying Lives of Adults), a recent Netflix interpretation of Elena Ferrante’s novel of the same name.

Giordana Marengo as Giovanna in La vita bugiardi degli adulti on Netflix
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La Naissance du Hip Hop – MC Solaar’s Revolutionary Legacy

When most people think of Hip Hop as a genre or as a cultural movement, they (rightly) think of New York City. This subculture was born in the Black community of the South Bronx, and quickly spread to other parts of the city, then the country, and within a few years, Hip Hop was iterated in some form almost everywhere in the world.

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five are often credited as the among the first artists whose music was recognised as “Hip Hop”
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