Providing opportunities for students to practice their French speaking skills beyond the classroom
The French Club’s mission encompasses three key components:
I) To provide opportunities for students to practice their French speaking skills beyond the classroom. An integral part of language acquisition is frequent exposure and practice, which would be achieved through our biweekly pause cafés. Our pose cafés provide students the prospect of practicing vocabulary and self-expression in a judgment-free, cooperative environment. The pause cafés, also, take advantage of the language interns and advanced students, who interact and assist the beginning speakers. Overall, interaction between the varying levels of fluency creates bonds between students and lasting language retention.
II) To understand the connections between language and culture beyond the classroom and beyond prominent stereotypes. Aside from excellent language practice, the pose cafés provide an avenue to explore and discuss current events in the francophone world, as well as expose students to new French traditions and cultures. As the official language in 29 countries across four continents, there is a definitive global presence of the French culture beyond the borders of France. Although Colgate University provides study abroad programs to Dijon, France and Geneva, Switzerland the French Club endeavors to widen student’s perspectives towards the variety of cultures associated with la communauté francophone. Due to the lack of options in Colgate University s’ study abroad repertoire, the French club will organize cultural-linguistic excursions to underrepresented French speaking regions. By organizing explorations to underrepresented regions, students unable to participate in Colgate’s study abroad programs benefit from the cultural immersion while becoming aware of the different cultures present in the tradition of the French language in addition to France.
III) To instill a deeper appreciation towards the tradition of Romance languages. By recognizing the importance of foreign languages in an increasingly globalized world, the French Club will actively promote the study and celebration of Romance languages. The promotion of Romance Languages will be accomplished though visits to other language departments of neighboring colleges, attending symposia, plays, and hosting Romance language banquets.
