85 FOREIGN LANGUAGE COPL gets CLIP’ed Department of Foreign Languages and International Studies reimagines the program’s goals with a new acronym. The faculty of the Foreign Language and International Studies department updated the name of the Conversational Cultural Opportunity Professional Log (COPL) point system to Culture and Language in Practice (CLIP) to better define the purpose of the program. The language departments required out-of-class speaking points for every course. CLIP provided activities outside of class to help foreign language students practice their speaking skills. Bonnie Kee, accreditation and academic support coordinator, said Spanish and French students met in groups around campus to practice their respective languages and receive points. “Each level has a different requirement for points,” Kee said. “The first level, they have to have 10 points for the semester. The upper level classes, the 4000 level classes, they have to have 25 points.” Due to social distancing, the program, traditionally designed for personal interactions, transitioned to a virtual language learning experience. Groups that previously met in person at the student center, cafeteria and Starbucks to conversationally practice languages participated in Zoom discussions and phone calls. Since there were less French students than Spanish students, the French students had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with Kee. “It really has helped them to do a one-on-one instead of a group activity,” Kee said. “We did see last semester after going virtual after spring break, and I was doing one-on-one with the students. They really did very well at the end of the semester.” Senior French student Abigail King said the virtual meetings were very different experiences to being in a physical group. She said the in-person group conversations pushed her out of her comfort zone, and, at first, she was upset about missing out on the community. Ultimately, however, she said the one-on-one conversation with Kee helped her improve. “I felt like I was getting really direct practice,” King said. Kristi Bond, associate professor and chair of the Foreign Language and International Studies Department, said other points could be earned by helping with efforts at Searcy public schools, tutoring ESL students and conversing with fellow foreign language students. Bond said there were two activities students could attend in person: the Spanish and French devotionals. “We are meeting in large rooms with faculty present to ensure social distancing,” Bond said. “Meeting in person really provides the spirit of community.” story by Abigael Langdon Upper and lower level Spanish students listen to a devotional message in Spanish. The Heritage Auditorium provided space for students to socially distance and speak together. | photo by Stanley Morales
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