The Baker University language and literature department has welcomed two Amity Scholars to assist in classes and enrich the learning experience of students this academic year.
The program places students from other countries in U.S. universities where they take up to six credit hours of classes while assisting in the university’s foreign language program. This year Claudia Schirmer from Germany and Karen Yanez from Colombia are be assisting with German and Spanish courses.
Professor of English Lucy Price, who is filling in for Associate Professor of German Cynthia Appl while she is on sabbatical, recognizes the value of having Amity Scholars.
“Having both individuals here is a real benefit for students of foreign language,” Price said. “Everyone appreciates the expansion of the program.”
In the past, Baker has only allowed one Amity Scholar to visit, but this year two scholars will be studying at Baker because Appl is on sabbatical.
Price said having a native German speaker at Baker is especially useful because it has been a few years since she’s taught German.
“With foreign language, the students need to hear the words spoken,” Price said. “It gives them a feel for the language, a sense of idiom.”
Schirmer said her presence in the classroom is beneficial because it helps students become fluent.
“It is helpful to have a young person who can teach the students,” she said. “It helps the students to hear a native speaker pronounce words.”
Yanez, who is assisting Spanish classes, also said she thinks students can gain knowledge from her presence.
“Students ask me for help, and I can help them improve their skills,” she said. “I can help them with speaking, pronunciation and writing.”
Students taking German and Spanish classes said having a native speaker in class helps them get a feel for the language.
“She (Schirmer) brings a different perspective to our class,” junior Cynthia McDonald said. “She can help us with pronunciation and grammar because it is better to hear the words from someone with a native tongue.”
McDonald said using the scholars for guidance can be valuable to the students, but some do not choose to take advantage of the opportunity.
“They may not be as comfortable getting help from them because they don’t know them,” McDonald said. “If the student makes a mistake, they don’t want it to insult them.”
Yanez confirmed students are sometimes hesitant to ask her for help.
“Students think we are here to grade them, and they are afraid of the corrections we could make,” she said. “They haven’t reached the level of confidence where they realize that we are here to help them.”
Schirmer and Yanez said they are enjoying their stay in the United States even though they wish students would use them as resources more often.
“I like all the new friends, the fun and the (host) family here,” Schirmer said. “The university is small, but I think Baker is a good school.”
Yanez said she has learned a lot so far, but she does miss one thing.
“I can deal with people, classes and lesson plans, but the food is the tough part,” Yanez said.
Price said she thinks the scholars are making good use of their time in the United States.
“They have strong initiative,” Price said. “They are eager to learn and eager to absorb the American life.”
While at Baker, Schirmer has gotten involved in choir, where she said her knowledge of the German language has come in handy.
“We are singing a German piece, so it is easy for me to sing,” she said. “But it is funny because the students don’t even know a word of German.”
Getting involved in the school and helping further American students’ understanding of other countries is one aspect of the program Price said was most valuable.
“I think they chose the name Amity deliberately,” she said. “It is a friendship program between people of different cultures.”