Languages Across the Curriculum (LxC)

BU Global Roadmap

2007-08-29T08:57:00.001-07:00

Picture Yourself Global!

Use Binghamton University’s Global Roadmap
and Chart Your Own Course

• Internationalize your degree by taking courses in Area Studies, adding a Global Studies Minor, enrolling in a language course, or participating in globally and internationally focused courses.

• Sign up for an LxC study group

• Apply to become a Language Resource Specialist with LxC

• Enroll in a language class

• Study Abroad!

• Become a Study Abroad Resource Alum when you return to Binghamton from abroad

• Attend the Study Abroad Fair

• Volunteer at the Study Abroad Fair

• Hang out with international students and friends at the monthly International Coffee Hour

• Take your friends to the International Student Festival

• Partner with an ESL student in the English Conversation Pairs

• Visit a meeting of a BU student cultural group

• Go to an Anderson Center

• Check out and attend some of the cultural events in the Binghamton area: (ex: SMAC, Islamic Organization of the Southern Tier, Southern Tier Indian Cultural Association, etc.)

• Check out globally-oriented career options at the Career Development Center

• Pursue a Certificate in Translation

LxC Staff Remains Unchanged for Fall 2007

2007-08-29T07:35:00.000-07:00

This Fall, Dr. Suronda Gonzalez will continue to direct the LxC program at Binghamton University. Dr. Gonzalez also directs the Global Studies Minor (GSM) Program. Her LxC office hours will be Monday to Friday 10AM-4PM by appointment. Yu-Ling Huang will continue on as the graduate assistant for this academic year. Her office hours will be Monday 9AM-3PM, Tuesday 9AM-12PM, Wednesday 9AM-3PM, Thursday 9AM-12PM.

LxC to Offer Six Courses this Fall

2007-08-29T07:31:00.000-07:00

LXC is excited to support six courses this Fall from a variety of disciplines and schools. Please take a moment to review which courses will be supporting LxC (some of these courses may be cross listed under another department). Think you are taking a course (or teach a course) that would be perfect for LxC, but we do not support it, let us know!

* ANTH/LING-114: Language, Culture, and Communication in the US
* ENG-227: British Literature
* HIST/AAAS-106: East Asian Civilizations
* HPE-330: Human Sexuality
* IBUS-211: World of Business
* THEA-101: Introduction to Musical Theater

University Survey Focuses on Foreign Languages

2006-05-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

Binghamton University's International Education Advisory Committee is assessing the ways in which a "Language Resource Center" might serve faculty and students in the learning and meaningful academic use of the world's languages. Please take a moment to take this survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=500431898975.

Watch International TV on Your Computer

2006-03-27T10:19:00.000-08:00

Students, faculty and staff can now access international television programs from their computers. Languages Across the Curriculum has purchased a licensing agreement from SCOLA, a nonprofit educational organization that rebroadcasts programs from around the world.

SCOLA features four channels with shows from nearly 70 countries in some 60 languages. Content includes current events, arts and culture, history and variety programming. Users can watch live-stream videos or save clips for later viewing. To view SCOLA, first log into Blackboard at http://blackboard.binghamton.edu. Click on view SCOLA and then click the "Watch Now" button under Videostream Service. Select "Watch SCOLA Now" to see the programming guide and choose something to watch.

Language Tables at BU

2006-03-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

Language Tables meeting at Binghamton University

LxC students may be interested in attending a language table, where they can practice and improve their language skills in a social setting. At Binghamton University, the following language tables are meeting this semester:

Chinese Table
The Chinese Table
Wednesdays, 12-1 pm
Dickinson Dining Hall
Contact: 777-3871 or e-mail hzhang@binghamton.edu

French Table
Tuesday 5:30-7 pm
CIW-Dining Hall
Contact: 777-6507 or e-mail dpolachk@binghamton.edu

Italian Coffee Hour
Tuesdays 1:45-2:45 pm and Wednesdays 1-2 pm
The Commons Cafe
Contact: 777-4629 or e-mail stewart@binghamton.edu

Last week of classes

2005-12-06T09:30:00.000-08:00

This week is the last chance for LxC study groups to complete their ten hour requirement. Due to the many midweek holidays this semester, it has been tight for some of the sections. At this point, most students should have LxC registered on their schedules for this semester.

Want to know more about LxC

2005-11-29T09:28:00.000-08:00

For those interested in learning more about Languages Across the Curriculum, I wanted to pass on an older, but still pertinent article written by H. Stephen Straight. Dr. Straight is the founding director of LxC and still supervises the program here at Binghamton University. This article provides an interesting academic background to the LxC concept and is a useful resource for all interested in LxC/LAC issues. (Link)

Simple Memorizing Techniques

2005-11-28T07:43:00.000-08:00

I found an interesting article about techniques for memorizing lists, numbers, and names on the web today. Some of the tips/techniques are pretty well known, but what I particularly liked about the article was its preface on how our minds work. The part that most caught my attention related closely to teaching, specifically the importance of creating or alluding to students' frame of reference:

"By the same token, when we want to learn something new, it is much easier if we already have a mental framework for it. This allows us to compare, contrast or otherwise connect the new information with what is already stored. If I have a good understanding of history and I am told the date of some event, I will plug it into the set of dates already in my memory. There is a good chance I will remember it. Without the framework, I'd probably forget it immediately."

Online Language Resources

2005-11-21T07:29:00.000-08:00

I Love Languages is a website offering a plethora of resources related to languages and language learning. Links are well catalogued in categories by language, free translation sites, teaching resources, and more. Check it out!

LxC Adds New Political Science Professor

2005-11-17T08:26:00.000-08:00

LxC is proud to annouce that it will begin working with Dr. Benjamin Fordham in the Political Science department in the Spring of 2006. Professor Fordham will be teaching PLSC-118, World of Politics.

History-106 classes prepare for presentations

2005-11-17T08:18:00.000-08:00

LxC in Dr. John Chaffee's classes have a unique twist. Each semester Professor Chaffee (History / Asian and Asian-American Studies) himself takes part in the final class by listening to, grading, and asking questions on individual presentations given by each student.

This semester LxC is supporting his HIST-106 class, East Asian Civilizations. Each student in each LxC section is asked to give a presentation (in their LxC language) on a topic discussed during the ten weeks of LxC. Given the professor's impressive listening comprehension of East Asian languages, he is able to learn about what the LxC class has done, not in English, but the assigned language of the section (Mandarin, for example). LRSs Candy Tan, Seokyung Han, and Yu-Ling Huang have all been diligently working to prepare their students for this culminating event.... Best of luck!

Online Commercials...more

2005-11-14T13:04:00.000-08:00

Ad-Awards is a website that gives awards for commercials in a variety of different sectors. The great part about this site is that all of the ads are new, the bad part is that there are not that many commercials. The Directory on the site is searchable by country which makes it nice.

International Commercials

2005-11-10T08:04:00.000-08:00

Many of our sections have used commercials as a means of portraying cultural differences, business practices, and language peculiarities. We are always on the look out for great foreign commercial sites. One we recently came across is Ad Eaters. Most of the ads are from the 1990s, with a few from 2000-2001. Nevertheless, it proves to be a great resource as it the Video Library is searchable by country, year, brand, theme, and more. Be sure to check the whole list if you do not see the country you need - it has a weird organization. For example, the United States is filed under Etats-Unis (French), but Spain is filed under the English, "Spain." The site also has 5 advertisements from the Soviet Union, filed under URSS.

The Great Firewall of China

2005-11-10T07:32:00.000-08:00

Internet filtering in China is a growing problem. Many believe that the team working on filtering the Internet in China, is one of the most sophisticated in the world. The Open Net Initiative is one of those groups. They have an interesting report that details internet filtering in China for 2004-2005. Much has been written about the problem in the West, and many attempts have been made to offer ways around the filtering.

Download Embedded Video, Flash, etc from website

2005-11-09T11:50:00.000-08:00

Firefox users now have the ability to download images, videos, flash, and other components embedded into a website with ease. Andrew Ruder has add Firefox extension for download that makes doing so with a simple right-click. Great for grabbing multimedia for use in LxC sections.

Global Voices Online

2005-11-07T09:25:00.000-08:00

Harvard Law is hosting a great project called Global Voices Online. This resource "is an international effort to diversify the conversation taking place online by involving speakers from around the world, and developing tools, institutions, and relationships to help make these voices heard." This is a great resource to read postings from bloggers anywhere from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. Highly recommended!

New Organization: European Student Association

2005-11-01T08:50:00.000-08:00

Official notice:

Welcome to the European Student Association
A group of European and non-European students have organized the "European Student Association" (ESA). Their goal is to provide a welcoming service for incoming European students and to bring together the European community and other international communities at Binghamton University. ESA warmly welcomes all students to their events, Europeans and non-Europeans.

You may contact the ESA at aversch1@binghamton.edu

Final Week for Peer Reviews

2005-10-31T11:30:00.000-08:00

This week LxC Language Resource Specialists will be completing reviews of one another's classes. This is a great opportunity to learn more about different teaching styles, new activities, classroom management, and more. This type of activity should help the reviewer as much as the "reviewee." Although some LRS will be evaluating a class that is not in a language her or she speaks, each LRS will be amazed at what they can learn by successfully completing this activity.

LxC section discusses "Los Gitanos en Espana"

2005-10-24T08:29:00.000-07:00

The LxC Spanish section of PSYC-239 (Multicultural Psychology) recently discussed the Gypsy/Roma minority in Spain. The students reviewed a United Nations report on discrimination of women from this minority group. As part of their discussion, students compared this situation to Latinos in the United States. Some interesting similarities and differences became apparent.

How to use video in the classroom

2005-10-20T08:29:00.000-07:00

LxC has a great resource page dedicated to using video resources in your sections. The page is link in collaboration with the Project for International Communications Studies.

Newspaper Front Pages

2005-10-17T08:32:00.000-07:00

The Newseum, a wonderful place to visit when in DC, offers a fantastic website the displays the front pages of 424 newspapers from 43 different countries. This is a fabulous resource that everyone should check out. (Link)

International Student Coffee Hour

2005-10-06T07:53:00.000-07:00

Good company! Free refreshments! Celebrate the beginning of the Fall season by coming to this month's International Coffee Hour on Friday, October 7 from 3:30-5pm in the University Union Old Union Hall (next to the University Union Mandela Room). Just enter the Old Union Hall from the (old) University Union Main Lobby. This month's sponsor is The Watson School. The Coffee Hour strives to be a space where the entire Binghamton University community, including international students, U.S. students, faculty/staff, and community members are welcome. The coffee hours are informal and provide an opportunity to meet and learn more about each other in a relaxed atmosphere. They are held on the first Friday of every month in the University Union Mini Mall Greenhouse from 3:30pm-5pm. Each coffee hour has free hot and cold beverages and cookies, sponsored by a different department on campus.

Working With Students in Small Groups

2005-09-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

Graduate Student Professional Development Title: Working With Students in Small Groups to Promote Collaborative Learning
When: TODAY, 4-5PM, CIW Library Room 205
What: A discussion of useful ways of working with students in small group activities to increase their critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Presented by Steve Duarte, Discovery Program and Center for Learning & Teaching

Language Maps Resource

2005-09-26T08:58:00.000-07:00

Innovations in communication and technology make language diffusion in the 21st century remarkably apparent. However, languages have had always had shared characteristics. Learning more about language history through language families can help one enrich their level of language comprehension (for native speakers and beginning learners alike). A great way to do so is by reviewing maps of languages and language families. Check out this great collection of language map resources.

Professional Development Opportunity

2005-09-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

Title: Writing and Developing and Teaching Philosophy
By: Professor Church (English Department)
When: Wednesday September 28
Where: Graduate Student Lounge
Sponsored by: Graduate English Organization

Japanese to be offered

2005-09-21T13:24:00.000-07:00

For the first time in 7 years, LxC will offer a group in Japanese. This group will be part of LxC supported IBUS-211, World of Business. The group will be led by Isao Horino, a Ph.D. student in the Political Science department.

LxC class information

2005-09-20T10:44:00.000-07:00

Just a friendly reminder that all LxC class information will be updated on each course page as it is received. Room registrations are still be finalized, but information will be posted as soon as it becomes available. Each course page is linked from the LxC main homepage.

New Intern to Support LxC

2005-09-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

LxC is proud to announce that it has hired Hinman resident director, Darcy Johnson as an intern to support the program this Fall. Darcy is from Michigan and has a BS in Sociology, as well as a degree in Journalism. Darcy also has a Masters in College Student Personnel from the University of Louisville. This is her fourth year as resident director at Binghamton University.

Professional Development Seminar

2005-09-14T10:32:00.000-07:00

Title: Developing Syllabi and Establishing Boundaries for Respect/Decorum
Time: Wed 9/14/2005, 6:00-7:00pm
Location: CIW Library Rm. 205
What: A discussion of these topics with TA's
who either teach their own class(es) or facilitate
sections of large lecture classes.
By: Center for Learning and Teaching, Steve Duarte

Harpur Film Society Schedule

2005-09-13T09:47:00.000-07:00

18 Sept: Spirited Away (Japan)
25 Sept: Chi Hwa Seon (Korea)
9 Oct: House of Flying Daggers (Hong Kong)
16 Oct: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring (S. Korea)
23 Oct: Silver City (USA)
30 Oct: Super Size Me (USA)
13 Nov: Look at Me (France/Italy)
20 Nov: Kitchen Stories (Norway/Sweden)

All screenings are at 7:30 PM, repeat on Sunday in Lecture Hall. For more information contact Del Umbers.

Speak Italian?

2005-09-12T11:22:00.000-07:00

Rarely do we receive enough interest to support Italian-language groups in LxC. However, we do usually have a few students signing up and wanted to pass along this opportunity. The Italian Coffee Hour, 1:15 p.m., The Commons Cafe. Romance Languages. Call 607-777-4629 or e-mail stewart@binghamton.edu. The Italian Coffee Hour meets from 1:15-2:15 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday. Enjoy your coffee while conversing in Italian.

Languages of the World

2005-09-08T09:02:00.000-07:00

Wikipedia has a great entry listing all of the languages in the world. There are some other really cool links on this page including: language families, list of languages by writing system, and a list of languages by total speakers.

LxC Course Webpages

2005-09-07T11:57:00.000-07:00

LxC will be maintaing webpages for each of its sections. The page is available at the LxC main home page. It will include section numbers and other important information.

Conference Announcement: New Tools for Language Learning

2005-09-07T11:43:00.000-07:00

The University at Buffalo Educational Technology Center and the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures invite you to attend:

New tools for language learning: beyond the basics (September 30 - October 1, 2005)
120 Clemens Hall, North Campus - University at Buffalo

This two day conference will explore the role of information technologies in second language learning and teaching. Both pedagogical approaches and innovative uses of computer technologies will be discussed. Computer-assisted language learning strategies will be presented by nationally-recognized scholars. Topics will include strategies for distance learning delivery of foreign language instruction for college, high school and non-traditional students at the elementary, intermediate and AP levels. Guest presenters will showcase notable projects in development and use throughout SUNY and at other higher education institutions, such as: MIT, Michigan State, Skidmore, University of Oregon, SUNYs Buffalo, Brockport, Cortland and Potsdam.
Conference details and registration: http://etc.buffalo.edu/newtools

New Certificate in Global Professional Studies

2005-09-06T11:10:00.000-07:00

Beginning this year, the German Program (within the German, Russian and East Asian Languages Department) will offer a certificate program in Global Professional Studies. Partcipating students will take "courses in cross-cultural and language studies that focus on the use of German in the global workplace." In addition, students will study-abroad for one year, culminating with a six month paid internship with a German, Austrian, or Swiss company. For more information and to learn more about the requirements, contact Harald Zils, GREAL Department.

FYI: Spanish and French Tables

2005-09-06T09:31:00.000-07:00

6 September
French Table, 5:30-7 p.m., CIW-Dining Hall. Romance Languages. Free. Call 777-6507 or e-mail dpolachk@binghamton.edu . Enjoy your meal while conversing in French.

7 September
Spanish Table, 5:30-7 p.m., Hinman Dining Hall. Romance Languages. Free. Call 777-4630 or e-mail fajardo@binghamton.edu . The Spanish Table will meet every Wednesday. Enjoy your meal while conversing in Spanish. All levels of proficiency welcome.

LxC Begins Class Visits

2005-08-31T09:51:00.000-07:00

LxC has begun visiting classes to share information about LxC. The department will visit all nine classes it is supporting this Fall. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions and sign up for the program. Students will be able to sign up through the end of next week. If you have any questions regarding LxC registration or requirements contact the Lucas R. Ames, the LxC GA. You can download and print the LxC registration form online and submit it to Hinman 209 or drop it in intercampus mail to Languages Across the Curriculum.

FYI: Volunteer and Resource Fair

2005-08-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

The Fall 2005 Volunteer and Resource Fair will take place from 11-2 on 8 September in the Mandela Room, University Union. LxC students and staff may be especially interested in the following presenters: Multicultural Resource Room, Free Read, Hillel, American Red Cross, Roberson Museum, YWCA, and more!

LxC Staff Remains Unchanged for Fall 2005

2005-08-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

This Fall, Dr. Suronda Gonzalez will continue to direct the LxC program at Binghamton University. Dr. Gonzalez also directs the International Studies Certificate Program and the Global Studies Integrated Curriculum Program. She will be teaching a FYE course this Fall. Her LxC office hours will be Wednesday and Friday from 10-12. Lucas R. Ames will continue on as the graduate assistant for this Fall. His office hours will be Monday 10-5, Tuesday 11-2:30, Wednesday 1-5, Thursday 10-1.

LxC to Offer Nine Course this Fall

2005-08-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

LxC is excited to support nine courses this Fall from a variety of disciplines and schools. Please take a moment to review which courses will be supporting LxC (some of these courses may be cross listed under another department). Think you are taking a course (or teach a course) that would be perfect for LxC, but we do not support it, let us know!

ANTH-114: Language, Culture, and Communication in the US
ENVI-101: Environment Man/Woman: Ecological Perspectives
HIST-106A: East Asian Civilizations
HIST-140: Modern World History
HPE-330: Human Sexuality
IBUS-211: World of Business
PSYC-239: Multi-Cultural Psychology
THEA-101: Introduction to Musical Theater
UNIV-280B: Peaceable Kingdom

Next International Coffee Hour

2005-08-29T12:54:00.000-07:00

The next international coffee hour, organized by ISSS, will be held on 2 September from 3:30-5PM in the Old University Union Room (133). This month's event is sponsored by United University Professions (UUP).

Welcome to LxC

2005-08-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Languages Across the Curriculum blog. LxC is part of Binghamton University (SUNY) in Binghamton, NY. LxC is a curricular enrichment program that provides students the opportunity to apply their existing languages skills in courses outside of languages departments in languages other than English. Students thereby obtain intercultural information and international perspectives on course subject matter. LxC is not a language instruction program but rather a language-use program. Students from intermediate to native level of skill participate in the program.