| Spring 2011, No. 53 |
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ContentsCampus Makes Progress on Diversity Initiatives Students Share Online Chemistry Community Success with Faculty Audiences Summer Kids@Carroll Features New Classes for 2011 Mother and Daughter Complete Carroll Degrees Together Spanish in Surround Sound: Improving Language Skills in Immersion Study
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| Spanish in Surround Sound: Improving Language Skills in Immersion Study |
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Learning a new language can be a challenge when one is limited in exposure to the spoken word. Language experts agree that the best way to become fluent in a foreign language is through immersion in conversation with people who speak the native language. Recently, Carroll Community College President Dr. Faye Pappalardo and Director of World Languages Nate Schell travelled to Costa Rica to visit a Spanish language school, ILISA, in San Pedro. They learned about its programs by vetting the curriculum as a good source of foreign language education. They returned to Westminster with the impression that students could thrive at ILISA. The country's atmosphere seemed ripe for learning and travel plans were initiated. Over winter term, eight Carroll students spent three weeks basking in total Spanish immersion through language study at the school. Classes were taught by fluent native instructors in classrooms where only Spanish-speaking was allowed. More cultural exposure occurred after school, when students lived in the homes of local families, and spent their free time touring the countryside and speaking with local residents. "Spanish immersion is a most effective way to improve speaking skills in a short period of time. As an instructor, I could see the major gains in fluency at all levels beyond how students perform in a semester," said Schell. "In addition, students learned cultural etiquette, tasted new foods, and experienced the family unity that is so common among Latin families. These lessons cannot be learned with textbooks alone." "This is my first total immersion program," said Antonio Gomez. "I was extremely pleased and satisfied with it. I particularly enjoyed my classes at ILISA school. They were informative, practical, demanding, and pulled out of me behaviors and daily practices that improved my Spanish. The cultural excursions throughout the city and into the countryside directly complemented the academics. They were the icing on the cake!" said Gomez. Sara Spangler said, "I certainly learned a lot and the professors were so good. The people are very nice in Costa Rica. I do hope to return soon. My progress in speaking Spanish was much greater than I expected. We always spoke Spanish there." "The teachers' explanations of new vocabulary were clear and simple. Everyone participated equally and voluntarily in classroom conversation," said Amber Witten. "I really enjoyed this program," said Lisa Bornt. "There is no better way to learn a language than to go and live it! And that's what this program allows you to do." At ILISA, class size was typically five students with one teacher, which helped students to feel comfortable in a new environment, according to Schell. Classes were arranged in groups depending on fluency levels and accommodated a range of abilities, from beginner to intermediate to advanced speakers. During weekdays, students received language instruction, conversation practice, and cultural lessons. Evenings and weekends provided opportunities to enjoy family time. Most students were very happy with their host families, according to Schell. "All of my expectations of this program were met," said Schell. "Students returned to Carroll with great enthusiasm about learning a new language, with more confidence about speaking, and with more connection to the Spanish-speaking world. It is important in many professions to be able to communicate with speakers of other languages. ILISA school has a long history of working with universities from North America, Europe, and other parts of the world." Costa Rica is a relatively small country situated in Central America between Nicaragua and Panama. "There is a great deal of untouched land and green space. Ecotourism is booming there. The climate is tropical and consists of rainy and non-rainy seasons. During our trip, the weather was dry with temperatures in the 80's," said Schell. Carroll is now accepting registrations for the next Costa Rica Language Immersion Travel Study tentatively scheduled to depart on Dec. 31, 2011 for a three-week stay through January, 2012. Participants must be at least 18 years old. The trip will cost less than $3,000 per person, including tuition (for credit, students make a separate tuition payment), lodging, and airfare. For more information, contact Schell at 410-386-8323 or e-mail nschell@carrollcc.edu.
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