Southeastern Louisiana University Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures French, Spanish, French Education, Spanish Education Programs February 9, 2010

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures supports the University's educational, economic, and cultural mission by nurturing the life-changing experience of contact with foreign cultures. The study of languages, literatures, and cultures, like the study of history, philosophy, or mathematics, helps students develop the analytic skills needed to be an effective participant in local, national, and international discussions. We also provide our majors, minors, and ESL students with a competitive edge in an increasingly global economy; it is a fact that graduates with skills in more than one language earn more than their monolingual counterparts. Linguistic skills expand graduates’ range of employment possibilities. The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers:

• High-quality instruction • Authentic cultural interaction through short-term and long-term (semester and year- long) study abroad programs, internships in local companies of international reach, and other cultural opportunities on- and off-campus • Linguistic and cultural expertise in support of the university as a whole, local and regional school, and the wider community • A broad range of scholarly expertise

The Department also serves the University by providing students in many curricula with the requisite language classes designed to provide linguistic and cultural competencies in their chosen fields. Our social service efforts are merely surface examples of the substantive but invisible kinds of training we provide. All language and all mythology classes encourage tolerance and the ability to relate to others who come from a different culture- which is, in turn, invaluable in terms of the skills our students will bring to the workforce.

The economic, workforce, and cultural development of our region depends upon graduates who can communicate effectively and respond to the needs of a changing population. According to the 2008 analysis of The Census Bureau, our region is among those experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of Spanish speakers. The growth rate of Southern Louisiana’s Hispanic population is substantially larger than the nation’s. The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures also preserves the traditional heritage of the area’s many French and Italian speakers. We have established links between the local Francophone community and . In 1999, for the tercentennial of the French presence in Louisiana, we twinned five cities in this parish (Hammond, Ponchatoula, Independence, Amite and Kentwood) with cities in France. This required translation services as well as the organization of official trips to and from France. Ninety-two residents of Tangipahoa travelled to France in 1998 and we received a delegation of French citizens of the same size in 1999. These ties have been maintained and are especially flourishing between Hammond and Jouars-Pontchartrain. The mayor of Hammond, Mayson Foster, has strengthened these links by receiving a delegation from France in October 2009 and by attending in France the big tenth anniversary twinning celebration in 2008, where our department provided translation services.

The Department receives community support in the form of scholarships (from members of the community, from Dr. Capozzoli of Baton Rouge, The Rotary Club, Wallonie Bruxelles and Codofil) in order to help students to study abroad. We have forged ties with several foreign universities including:

• The University of Verona, • The University of • The University of • The University of Salamanca, • The Universidad Politecnica of Valencia, Spain • Micefa Program in Paris • St. Anne University in Nova Scotia – total immersion program

Our course work offers many opportunities to bridge learning and practice through a variety of educational techniques, experiences and competitions. The majority of our graduates find employment regionally or are accepted into graduate programs at universities such as the University of Arizona, the University of Massachusetts, Louisiana State University, Tulane University, Monterrey University as well as international universities including the University of Amsterdam and the University of Mons.

Student centered projects

• Language Clubs • Foreign Language Festival -. French and Spanish competition for high schools all around Southeast Louisiana, encouraging excellence in language studies • International Night • Latin Dance Cultural Tradition • New Orleans Notarial Archives • Foreign Language Tables (conversational groups) • Foreign Language Socials at Michabelle’s Inn • Competitions French Consulate and WBI • Undergraduate Research program with faculty • National and international guest speakers and performers

Service Learning (Flan 403) with the following schools:

• Oaks Montessori School, Hammond • Southeastern Louisiana University Laboratory School, Hammond • Midway Elementary School, Natalbany • Fontainebleau High School, Mandeville • Head Start at SLU, Hammond • Migrant Head Start, Amite • Livingston Parish and Literacy Technology Center, Walker • Copper Hill Elementary, Zachary • Ponchatoula High, Ponchatoula • Live Oak High, Watson • Northside Elementary, Watson • Lee High, Baton Rouge • Franklinton High, Franklinton • Denham Springs High, Denham Springs • Central High School, Baton Rouge • St Thomas Aquinas High School, Hammond

Activities for the Benefit of the Community:

We provide translation services for the local community including birth certificates, school transcripts, legal documents (marriage, divorce, and adoptions), description of patents, and court depositions. In addition, we provide services to these organizations:

• Hammond and Campus Police • North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond • Southeast Louisiana Hospital, Mandeville • Greater New Orleans Medical Recovery Week • Medical Relief Week Free Clinic • Hispanic Community Medical Fair, Amite • Migrant Head Start, Amite • Livingston Parish and Technology Center, Walker • Our Lady of Divine Providence, Jefferson Parish • Holy Ghost Church, Hammond • Divine Mercy, Kenner • First United Methodist, Baton Rouge • Language Interpreters for Quad Area Community Action Agency

Some of FLAN graduates

Carnival Cruise Lines, Florida auditor at the State Department Spanish teacher at Holy Ghost Spanish teacher at Holy Ghost Spanish teacher at Trafton principal at St. Thomas Aquinas school teacher of Spanish at St. Thomas Aquinas school teacher of Spanish in Arizona school teacher of Spanish at Hammond High school teacher of Spanish at Ponchatoula High school teacher of Spanish at Prairieville supervisor of foreign language education in LA Spanish teacher in north of LA Spanish teacher in Mandeville School teacher in ?? Spanish teacher in French Settlement Spanish teacher in Texas Spanish teacher in Montgomery, Alabama MA in TESOL at Monterrey, CA. teaches at UNO FBI in San Diego, California French/Spanish teacher at Albany High School Finishing PhD - University of MASS English assistant in an elementary school in Paris Spanish teacher @Copper Hill Elem. in Zachary Spec. Ed. Program at Northside in Den.Springs works for the State Department High School Spanish teacher Tangipahoa Parish. Works for a medical facility in Amite Jacksonville school board system, Florida Spanish teacher North shore High School in Slidell. Teacher in Northlake Christian School Grad School at Texas A&M Corpus Christi school teacher of Spanish in Colorado Grad. School -LSU Grad. School?? tutoring company in Covington applied for jobs at Episcopal teaches in the Baton Rouge school system works for Passports Educational Travel, in Boston St.Tammany Parish school system M.A. in Span.Linguistics at LSU –teaches in Spain teaching English in Spain teaches French Montessori school in Baton Rouge graduate student in French at LSU Graduate school, LSU teaches English in Costa Rica teaches Spanish in Mansfield, Texas Tangipahoa and St Helena Enforcement Louisiana 1st Choice Auto Auction as sales rep teaches Spanish at St. Joseph Acad. in Baton Rouge teaches Spanish at Denham Springs Jr. H.S. teaches Spanish in Destrahan H.S teaches Spanish in St. Tammany