2008 Woodie Awards
UI program promotes 'exotic' languages
Joe Augustine - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 4/3/07 Section: Metro
After receiving full financial support from grants in its first two years, funding for the UI's Autonomous Language Learning Network this year is split between grants and UI International Programs.
And although directors say funding for the language program is still sufficient, it may need to find alternative financial avenues to keep the financial burden off its students.
Allnet Director Elena Osinskaya said she eventually wants to develop a scholarship program and allow students to qualify for academic credit.
"I would like to see Allnet for credits so students can have it on their transcripts," she said on Monday.
Through the program, UI students can branch out from commonly taught languages such as Spanish and German and dabble in such languages as Nepali, Swedish, and Turkish. On Monday, current and prospective students of Allnet gathered at the Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St., to discuss the program's future as well as some less popular languages at the university.
( DITV video feature )
The presentation, "From A to Z and in between: Less commonly Taught Languages at the UI," included a seven-person panel featuring three students and four tutors who shared their experiences as members of the program - which offers help in 35 languages and has 19 members studying 12 different languages in a non-credited study scenario.
One such member, Brian Miller, a UI graduate student in history, is studying Turkish to help guide his research and dissertation on Turkish and German history.
"It is a wonderful fit for my program and allows me to do something I wouldn't be able to do otherwise," he said.
And although directors say funding for the language program is still sufficient, it may need to find alternative financial avenues to keep the financial burden off its students.
Allnet Director Elena Osinskaya said she eventually wants to develop a scholarship program and allow students to qualify for academic credit.
"I would like to see Allnet for credits so students can have it on their transcripts," she said on Monday.
Through the program, UI students can branch out from commonly taught languages such as Spanish and German and dabble in such languages as Nepali, Swedish, and Turkish. On Monday, current and prospective students of Allnet gathered at the Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St., to discuss the program's future as well as some less popular languages at the university.
( DITV video feature )
Video in QuickTime format, click here for free player download
The presentation, "From A to Z and in between: Less commonly Taught Languages at the UI," included a seven-person panel featuring three students and four tutors who shared their experiences as members of the program - which offers help in 35 languages and has 19 members studying 12 different languages in a non-credited study scenario.
One such member, Brian Miller, a UI graduate student in history, is studying Turkish to help guide his research and dissertation on Turkish and German history.
"It is a wonderful fit for my program and allows me to do something I wouldn't be able to do otherwise," he said.
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Christopher
posted 4/03/07 @ 7:59 AM EST
What about Esperanto?
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