Learning foreign language gives students new perspective of cultures and inissions •French Club develops friendship and language bonds among members Laissez !es bon temps router! These words, familiar to members of the Harding University French Club, translate in English as "Let the good times roll! " With the university 's international composition, the French Club was just one way for Americans and students from other countries to develop closer bonds through sharing cultures. For members, the club helped to broaden students ' horizons of communication. Those majoring in French were not the only ones who benefited from the experience. Anyone with an interest was welcomed into the group, and to those who participated, French did not become just a second or third language; it evolved into a link with new friends and a heightened.sense of the surrounding world. Dr. Winfred Wright, chairman of the Department of Foreign Languages and International Studies, feels strongly about the role of organizations like the French Club. "Something people tend to overlook is the fact that foreign language in itself is an international study," Wright said. "It isn't just what other people say, but how they say it and what goes through their minds. French and other foreign languages represent entirely different ways of thinking. Something new and unusual like that always will peak curiosity and learning." Many field trips were incorporated into the year's activities. The trips allowed students to realize that what brought them together was not just some coded version of a mother tongue. Such emphasis came in strong doses when members saw culturally-tied productions such as Les Miserables. Worldwide, French is etched into history and daily life, marking an identity for several peoples. The global aspects of the language were certain to be better understood by club members, with hopes of aiding future missionary campaigns in France and French-speaking western Africa. Members had plenty of fun in their pursuits of a greater understanding of French. "Overcoming language barriers isn't always some person 's idea of a good time, " club president Anna Jones said. "But it's a team effort here instead of being like a class. We can go at our own pace and concentrate on making it something good for everyone. " One thing easy for anyone to understand about this group was its overall image - c'est magnifique! - Eric Rodgers French Club. First Row: Karen Hendrix, Jana Hendrix, Anabella Ruiz, Diana King, Franca Aragon. Second Row: laura Zuniga, Anna Jones, Sandi Wright, Lynne Wilterdink, Tia White. Third Row: Brad Johnson, Jaime Bermudez, Oscar Garcia, Christian Coon, Daryl Rodgers. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Cara Walker andJaque Rimer discuss a design project for the Graphic Interface Conference. RedBrick Studios sponsored the art conference, which took place on campus in February. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. French Club Organizations * 205
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==