By Janet Adamy
Daily Staff Reporter
A study presented yesterday by LSA students and faculty aims to improve the appeal of the college's language requirement.
The suggested improvements, which were brought about at the urging of the LSA Student Government and presented to LSA faculty, focused on ways to change students' attitudes toward the somewhat unpopular language requirement, particularly within the department of romance language and literature.
"It's clear to us that there is a lack of strong motivation for students to study in (language) departments," said David Schoem, assistant dean for undergraduate education.
"Today, too many students are just trying to get the requirement out of the way," Schoem continued.
In an effort to increase student interest in language, the report suggest offering a wider range of options to fulfill the language requirement, rethinking and encouraging study abroad programs, improving academic support services and offering more intensive language opportunities through departments, in addition to those that are already offered in the Residential College.
Prof. William Paulson, chair of the department of romance languages and literature, said he agreed with most of the conclusions in the report, including the finding that there is a noticeable lack of student interest in the romance language and literature department.
However, he said he wasn't sure if the study's recommendations would target unmotivated students.
"I think that a lot of those steps might be useful to those whose motivation is fair to good, to those students who have the more motivation," Paulson said.
LSA first-year student Kate Pankopf said she doesn't think that LSA can encourage students to be more enthusiastic about foreign language classes.
"I think it comes out of high school," Pankopf said. "If you liked language in high school, you will continue with it. Otherwise, you would just take it because you have to."
Spanish Prof. Luisa Lopez-Grigera said teachers can have an effect on their students' motivation to study language.
"My experience with students is that they can be enthusiastic if the teacher is enthusiastic with the subject," Lopez-Grigera said. "They receive the feeling of the teacher."
The report also focused on improving language instruction within the department of romance languages and literature.
"The committee feels strongly that the teaching of large introductory courses must be seen as a priority," Schoem said, citing that 60 percent of LSA students study romance languages.
The report suggested that LSA create a language program for students rather than offer a series of unconnected language courses. It cited the German department's 232 classes, which are based on themes like science or mystery.
"We think that students should be presented with a coherent language study," Schoem said.
Paulson said his department has made plans to offer more thematic courses next fall.
Other recommendations include expanding spring and summer course options and revising the language placement test.