Chinese summer isn’t over yet … some pointers for Beginning Chinese students!

Zhupu Altar in Keelung, Taiwan

Maybe you’ve been wanting to start learning Chinese, but don’t know how to get over the initial hurdles that make it seem impossible. Never fear, for I am here to help demystify this incredible language! I started learning Chinese at Reed from the beginning level and studied abroad this past summer in Taipei, Taiwan. Trust me when I say that it’s a challenging language to learn, but not impossible! (And I might even argue that it’s been the easiest and most fun language to study…) Here are my personal strategies for approaching Chinese as a beginning student, while keeping it fun!

Continue reading “Chinese summer isn’t over yet … some pointers for Beginning Chinese students!”

Who said “Karaoke”?

The Language Lab invites you to our annual highly-anticipated KARAOKE NIGHT! We’ll be singing songs in all languages and dancing the night away! You bring your voice and we’ll bring the snacks, disco lights, and snazzy multilingual vibes. We hope to sing with you there!

Bring your friends and let them sing their frustrations out!

Discussing why you (yes, YOU) should come to Spanish tutoring with Bruce!

Today we’re interviewing Bruce, our drop-in Spanish tutor! We chatted about what first motivated him to learn Spanish, and the amazing power of language tutoring at Reed!

Leilani: Hi Bruce! First, could you tell me a little bit about yourself, and for how long you’ve been speaking Spanish?

Bruce: My name is Bruce, and I’m from the Portland area. I started speaking Spanish, or at least taking classes, in seventh grade. And then I did it for five years. I did the IB [International Baccalaureate] program, so I did IB Spanish in my junior year. In my senior year, I wasn’t able to take Spanish because I had already taken the highest level my school offered. So I started again last year in college. I started at the intermediate level, and now I’m taking 321 [Theory and Practice of Hispanic Literature].

L: What initially motivated you to start learning Spanish?

B: I don’t come from a family that speaks Spanish at all, but it was the only language that was offered at my middle school. My brother was also a couple of years older than me, and he was starting to learn, as well. It was more so that I wanted to learn another language. Now, I’m glad I chose Spanish because it aligns with a lot of what I’m interested in. I’ve been really interested in Latin American politics, art, and history. When I first started to learn, I didn’t have that reasoning. But now I’m really glad I chose to study Spanish.

Continue reading “Discussing why you (yes, YOU) should come to Spanish tutoring with Bruce!”

WORKSHOP: ARROZ CON LECHE

Spanish language scholars Andreu and Angeles are hosting a workshop to teach you how to make arroz con leche (popular in both Spain and Argentina) on Saturday 4 October at 5:00pm in the Spanish House.

GHOST STORY TELLING AND CRAFT NIGHT AT THE LANGUAGE LAB

Come tell and listen to spooky stories from around the world at the Language Lab on October 9th at 6pm!

As the weather gets colder and the workload gets heavier, the Language Lab is here to remind you to have a bit of fun! Everyone is welcome to this evening of exchanging spooky cultural folklore, puppet-making, and free snacks and drinks. Be there or else…

Getting excited for study abroad with Vincent!

Today we’re chatting with Vincent, our French tutor, as well as the HA for French House II (Farm House). We talked about French programming at Reed and how Vincent is preparing for his semester abroad in Paris this spring!

Leilani: First, could you tell me about your background and how long you’ve been speaking French?

Vincent: Yeah! I first started taking French classes in high school, and then I placed into second-year level French when I came to Reed. I lived in the French House last year, and I’m living in Farm House this year. So those are the French experiences I’ve had here.

L: What has your experience been like as a French tutor?

V: It’s been pretty interesting to get a sense of how other people learn a language in ways that are different from what I’m more used to. And I think that’s a way of helping me to understand the language better and get more practice with it by working with other people.

Continue reading “Getting excited for study abroad with Vincent!”

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.

Continue reading “Tutor interviews: Sara Tapalova (Russian)”