Language courses may be altered

By Janet Adamy
Daily Staff Reporter

MARGARET MYERS/Daily The Modern Languages Building houses many classes and offices for the Department of Romance Languages and Literature.

A study presented in April 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."

In an effort to increase student interest in language, the report suggests 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 Languages 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 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."

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.

09-03-97