11/16/07
People looking for cultural experiences with little money to travel don’t have to look any farther than the lunch tables in the cafeteria.
Spanish, French and German languages come out of the classroom and into the lunchroom every Tuesday-Thursday. Students who speak these languages get together over lunch and talk to each other while enjoying everyone’s company.
Senior Joy Mapes attends the Spanish table regularly.
“The best part about the Spanish table is that it forces me to get more experience listening to people speak Spanish and more experience speaking it,” she said.
Assistant Professor of Spanish Pablo La Rosa said the tables serve a purpose for students providing an opportunity to use the language in a setting other than the classroom. He said the language tables have been offered for more than 10 years in the cafeteria and anyone is welcome, but it is preferred that students are able to speak one of the languages. One benefit to attending is students without a meal plan will have their lunch paid for as a guest of the language table.
Professors encourage students in their particular language by sending out reminders about the tables. Alumni, faculty and Amity Scholars attend the tables, giving students in attendance more experience in the language. It also is a better way for the students to get together while speaking their language.
“Students in different classes get to interact with each other,” Associate Professor of French Erin Joyce said.
Junior Justine Greve said she is pleased with the opportunity the language table gives her to practice German and likes how she is not graded.
“The German table is a good opportunity to get to speak German in a less formal setting than the classroom,” she said.
This is also a better way for the teachers to get to know their students and track their learning.
“Class time is limited,” Cynthia Appl, chair of language and literature department, said. “It is good to get experience speaking the language in a more natural social setting.”
Joyce said the language tables introduce students to faculty who are able to speak the language, and she enjoys the experience for herself and for her students.
“It is definitely one of my highlights of the week,” she said. “I get to relax and laugh.”
The Amity scholars can be seen at different tables and share their same experience with the students and faculty.