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1. Are these languages really not common?
The term "Less Commonly Taught" applies only to the educational picture in Pennsylvania. In other parts of the world and some parts of the U.S. such as New York city and California, these languages are the norm. For instance, it is estimated that about one fifth of all the people in the world speak some variety of Chinese.
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2. Why is studying one of these languages different from studying other languages?
Let's assume that English is your primary language. These LCT languages are very different from English. If you have studied a European language -- for instance, French or Spanish or German - you may have noticed quite a few similarities to English. There are many related vocabulary words, along with familiar grammatical structures and a nearly identical writing system. The LCT languages, in contrast do not use the Western alphabet as their writing system. They may have grammatical structures or other characteristics that do not have any parallel in English. For example, the system of levels of formality in Japanese has to chose parallel in English.
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3. Why does my language course meet 5 days a week, but carry only 4 credits?
Most Penn State courses require one class hour per week, per credit. Thus many 3-credit courses, for instance will meet for 3 hours of class time. However, other Penn State courses expect additional in-class commitments. Science courses with labs, art courses with studios or rehearsals or performances, and exercise science courses with exercise activities are some examples. The LCT language courses in this department meet 5 times a week in order to provide almost-daily opportunities for practice and for regular contact with the language. We know this requires an increased commitment of your time. This pattern has been chosen partly in recognition of the amount you'll need to learn, and partly in recognition of the fact that there is less out-of-class reinforcement for these languages than for some of the commonly taught European languages. Your learning process is likely to be more focused on the language classroom, including your classmates as a learning community. The U.S. State Department has estimated that it may take English-speakers up to four times as many contact-hours to achieve the same level of ability in LCT languages as in Western languages such as French, German, or Spanish. In some universities, courses in these languages meet for 8 or 1- hours per week. We're not expecting that level of commitment from you, but we do ask for a 5th class hour per week. Furthermore, on days when class doesn't meet, we encourage you to visit the Learning Center (see below), to practice with a classmate or friend, or to schedule individual study time, so that you are in contact with the language every day. As with physical exercise, daily practice, even if for only a few minutes, can make a great deal of difference. If you feel you cannot make the time commitment associated with our language course, we regretfully suggest that you not take the course.
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4. Why do I have more than one teacher?
For languages with small enrollments, there is only one instructor. However, where sufficient staff members are available, most sections of our LCT language courses are team-taught. This teaching situation enables you to become accustomed to hearing more than once voice, accent, rate of speaking, etc. With a team of teachers, you are less likely to feel dependent on any particular teacher, and your understanding of the language may become more flexible and confident. Having more than one teacher also adds variety to your classes. Some students initially find it slightly disconcerting to have a team of teachers, but if you approach this situation with an awareness of its potential advantages, we believe you will gain from it.
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5. What can I do with these languages?
At Penn State, you can take a major or a minor in Japanese; a minor in Chinese; or a minor in Hebrew. You can also use any of these languages within the major in Comparative Literature. At present, for Swahili, Arabic, and Korean, only the basic language sequence (language 001, 002, and 003) is offered. However, it may be possible to continue your progress in the language through distance education, independent study, or study abroad. For information about study abroad, ask your instructor, or contact the Office of International Programs, 222 Boucke Building. Beyond Penn State, what you do with these languages is largely up to you. In our increasingly interdependent work, with its global economy and extensive cultural interchange, may careers have an international component.
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6. Where can I go for additional resources on campus?
In addition to the assistance offered by your instructor(s), many other resources are available in the University Language Learning Center, 7 Sparks Building. Your instructor can tell you the hours the Center is open each semester. This is a new facility, with state-of-the-art equipment that can assist you in your process of language learning. For example, you can watch international television programs, try out language software on computers, watch videotapes, arrange to meet with your classmates in small groups, etc. We urge you to visit the Center often.
Go to the Resources section for more resources at Penn State to improve your linguistic and cultutral proficiency in Chinese. In addition, you are encouraged to take advantage of the Penn State Libraries Asian Collection (especially Chinese films), resources available through the Center for Language Acquisition (CLA) and Penn-State-approved education-abroad programs in Taipei, Beijing, Shanghai (in preparation), and Singapore. A good number of scholarships are available for study abroad.
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