Language Departments Enhance Global Literacy The departments of English and Foreign Languages offered students a wide range of services and educational opportunities. The English department taught core courses and oversaw the Teaching Of English as a Foreign Language program. According to Dr. Dennis Organ, chairman, international students who needed help with their English language skills were enrolled in one of two courses. "Every summer," Organ said, "we bring in Walton scholarship students from Central and South American and enroll them in 'Basic English as a Second Language ' to offer them both language and cultural orientation to the way of life they' ll experience here. And we have a second course for those who need additional help. " Organ said his department also sponsored three organizations - the English Honors Society, for English majors and minors; the Film Studies Association, for students interested in classic films; and "Scribblers ,'' for students interested in creative writing as a form of self-expression. The foreign language department experienced an increase in enrollment, according to Dr. Winfred Wright, because foreign language was added to the general education curriculum. "We added new sections of first- and second-year Spanish this year," Wright said. "That 's in contrast to our other languages - French, Italian and Gern1an-which can be taken for only one year each." Wright also noted that , while a number of international students chose to take a second language other than English, there was a general reluctance among American students to take a second language unless it was required. 146 - Russell Miller Dr. Rod Brewer answers a last-minute test question. Brewer taught an adolescent literature class as a part~! hisfaw/()1 load in the English department. Photo by Michael Bass. Dr. Lany Long assists a student in selecting courses for the/all semester. Long taught English classes and serl'ed as director~/ the Honors Program . Photo hy Michael Bass. English Academics ur. uottie Wright discusses a French publication with her class. She was one offour teachers who ta11ghtforeign language courses. Photo hy.fason Burt.
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