Department of Languages Newsletter    Vol. 4 - Dec. 2000

Finnish at the Department of Languages

Jari Leinonen has enjoyed over sixteen years teaching Finnish courses at L.U. Over the past twenty plus years, he has taught at every level from heritage language children's classes to adult conversational and always found it most rewarding. At the risk of sounding corny or trite, (his own words) he would say that he has found his calling. The Finnish history (civilization) given in English, gives Jari an added audience for spreading the Finnish word.

Originally studying Psychology and then English at L.U. Jari found his way into teaching and naturally enough teaching Finnish, having taught Finnish courses before his degrees. Having learned English as a second language has left him with an appreciation and a sensitivity for students' problems and goals. He has truly been blessed with wonderful students consistently over the years.

Hobbies include skiing, hockey and running as time allows, being a hockey dad to his 9 and 12 year old sons who also pursue musical interests. Jari volunteers as a soccer coach and as a lab monitor here at L.U. feeling that the donated time is instrumental in his students' development.

Before finding his way to Lakehead, Jari spent approximately ten years ski racing at an international level. To achieve this he worked at many jobs including taxi driving, papermill work and fitness instructor. For many years Jari split his time between Finland and Canada working and training in both countries to the point that he was not quite sure where he belonged actually.

Work within the local Finnish community has included executive positions with sports clubs and the Finnish Credit Union (Bay Credit Union) as well as Finnish language TV and radio work from the field to the studio.

 

Karen-Lynn Kruger (1999) worked as a hostess at the Canadian Pavilion at Expo 2000 in Hanover Germany from May until the end of October. She is now living in Yellowknife.

Michael Theriault (2000) married Kristin Hunter (B.ed. 2000) and they have a son named Gabriel. They are both teaching in St. Catharines. Michael teaches grade 7 French Immersion and Kristin supply teaches.

 

From The Chair

Two New Initiatives:

1) In the hope of promoting the value of learning languages, we are looking at setting up a "Language Competition". First open to high school students in their last year of studying French, it could later on be extended to other languages. We plan as well to organize another competition for Language students at L.U. Awards will consist of cash prizes, a bookstore voucher and, we hope, a reduction in university tuition.

2) Since computer technology is quickly becoming an essential teaching and learning tool, we are now taking steps to complement our existing Language labs with a Computer Assisted Language Learning Centre (CALLC).

 Multimedia Language Learning is concerned with the development of language skills and has always made use of a large range of communication tools. (text, sound, graphics, photographs, films, etc.) Each of these has some particular advantages in conveying specific messages and elicits specific responses from the learner.

The advantages and unique ability of computer-assisted learning is the ability to combine, link and orchestrate from one single source all the different and essential resources mentioned above.

Computer assisted learning and teaching puts at our disposal a multimedia resource whose power is far greater than the sum of its parts. Multimedia also provides a further, deeper dimension to communication by passing the control and manipulation of information into the hands of the learner.

The ability to interact with the different communication elements via interactive multimedia, will allow the language learner to explore, discover, ponder, search, question, answer and receive feedback.

A Computer Assisted Language Learning Centre will be able to cater to the individual needs of students. Multimedia Technology not only allows students to work a their own pace but also supports and enables the development of new and diverse learning strategies. A Computer Assisted Language Learning Centre will also permit us to integrate the use of computers in the delivery of courses, thus allowing us not only to enhance the quantity as well as the quality of our course offerings, but also to adopt new teaching methods and particularly to develop a more self-directed approach to learning.

Research has shown that the use of multimedia for self-access work is seen as more motivating, more attractive and finally more beneficial to students than traditional tools. A CALLC will allow us not only to consolidate and enhance our existing programs, but also to develop new ones, as well as to promote and foster research on languages and language learning. It will enhance the learning environment and engage students more actively in the very process of language acquisition. It will improve on the current methods of teaching and will be an important step in the implementation of a student learning centered approach. The university, the teaching staff and the students all stand to benefit from the implementation of such a centre.

We are now working on these two new and exciting projects, gathering the information needed to finalize the proposals, as well as looking for the prospective sources of funding that will make their realization possible.

Your comments and ideas, particularly if you are now in the teaching profession are welcome. Please don't hesitate to contact me at: anabarra@lakeheadu.ca

 We are pleased to report that the Emil Dolphin Memorial Bursary in Languages has been established with an opening balance of $9000. Your generosity has enabled us to achieve our goal. Heartfelt thanks to all of you who helped and contributed.

Of course, contributions at any time are still welcome. Any donation over $10 is tax deductible with an official receipt which will be issued by the University.

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French Assistante

Our French assistante this year is Delphine Dehos from Aix-les-Bains in the Alps region of France. Delphine is planning on staying in Canada after the school term . . . More details to follow in our next newsletter.

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French Monitor

Our French monitor is Joseph Ntahoturi. Originally from Barundi, Joseph has studied at the University of Laval in Quebec and has been living in Thunder Bay for a couple of years with his wife and daughter. How do you like the cold Joseph?

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A Letter from Veronica in Bordeaux

 

Hello everyone!

I have been in Bordeaux for a month and a half now and love the city even though it has rained almost every day since I arrived. The first thing I bought in France was an umbrella and I never leave home without it.

I am renting a small room in an old hotel which is well situated in the city. There are other students living here (one from England, a boy from Mauritius, a girl from New Guinea and several French) and we have a lot of fun together. The landlords live on the ground floor and I feel always very welcome.

My work at the high-school is going well. There are two English assistants, Jason who is from Ireland and myself. The English professors (they are all women) are very kind and they take good care of me. As for the students, most of them are nice and we all enjoy our interesting courses. I work with the upper level classes. My students are between 17 and 23 years old, and for the most part, their English is pretty good and we can carry on a discussion without any great problem.

I only work on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and, therefore, always have three day weekends. I'm feeling a little spoiled and I love it! I have already done some travelling. I went to the ocean at Arcachon, a beautiful town that is less than an hour from here. While I was there, I climbed the Dune de Pyla, from there you have a magnificent view of the ocean. This weekend, I went to Paris with another Canadian assistant. We walked for hours and saw a great deal. What a beautiful city.

My French is improving little by little. I can easily understand what people are saying to me, but find it difficult to express myself without too much hesitation. But it will get better with time (I hope!).

Well, everything is going well and I am feeling at home here in Bordeaux. But of course, I miss Lakehead!

 

Wendy D'Angelo(B.A. French 1996) I spent Jan. - May 1997 on the Student Work Abroad Program. I lived in Paris, worked at the Hard Rock Café and used time off work to travel around France and Western Europe. Before returning to Canada, I travelled south to the Riviera, then to Italy to spend a week with my cousins. In the summer of 1997 I moved to Calgary where I now work for Canada Post. But I return to Thunder Bay often to visit friends and family, especially my two nieces who are now 1 and 2 years old.

Rebecca Lane (H.B.A. French 1997) Thanks for the newsletter. I enjoyed catching up on what is happening. I'm sorry to hear of M. Dolphin's passing. He was a great teacher who always expected the best from his students. I am getting married on June 30th to Les Mandeville. I am teaching French and homeroom to Grade 4 in Peel District School Board.

Valerie Sinclair (B.A French 1998) I am a graduate of the Languages Department, and now a Junior/Intermediate Core French teacher in Rockwood, Ontario. I was deeply saddened when I learned of Prof. Dolphin's death. Many of my professors at Lakehead were an inspiration to me, and I will always be grateful for the many inspiring words and memories which Professor Dolphin left with me. I would also like to thank Prof. Nabarra for having written so many nice words about Prof. Dolphin, and for sharing them with us. Merci beaucoup.

Hi! It's Jennifer Busch. (B.A. French) I graduated in May of 1998 and have been teaching core French at Algonquin Avenue Public School since September of 1998. I also teach grade 1 science and social studies there. This year I picked up a class at Gron Morgan to give me a full contract. This summer, I am going on a month-long tour of Europe with my boyfriend Jeff... 11 countries in 25 days! Hope to practise my French. After all.. it got me a job! Have a great year!

Matthias Ruppenstein (H.B.A., B.ed. 1990) Started teaching in French Immersion Grades 7/8 for the longest time. Has now switched over to high-school and is currently busy teaching Core French at Westgate. When he has some time he enjoys hunting, fishing and the outdoors in general.

Nicole Ruppenstein née Heuer (B.A. French 1994) I started teaching Elementary Core French all over the place. Since last year I have switched to High-school to the "big" kids. I am presently teaching Core French at Hillcrest and German at Hammarskjold. If I am not busy marking or planning, I like to read or watch my son's soccer games.

Jennifer McGuire née Black (B.A., B.ed. French 1988) Nathan and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary in September. I've been a busy wife and mother. Hannah is almost 14. Graham almost 11. I home-school both of them and continue to instill in them the love of learning and language. We travel as much as ever, both in the Americas and abroad, most recently in France and the Dominican Republic. I work part time with Lakehead Public Schools teaching Core French, supplying in Immersion and as an Early Literacy Teacher (English). I am pleased to contribute to the Emil Dolphin Bursary, as I have fond memories of the Summer '79 in Madrid Spain with Prof. Dolphin and his family. He truly did touch many, many lives and hearts.

Si vous étiez dans mes souliers, vous travailleriez chez Taco Bell et auriez un très beau copain qui s'appelle Kristian.
Si vous étiez dans mes souliers, vous essaieriez de gagner assez d'argent pour acheter une auto, et en même temps payer l'éducation.
Si vous étiez dans mes souliers, vous aimeriez aller à l'école et apprendre le français, l'allemand, et être avec vos amis.
Si vous étiez dans mes souliers, vous mangeriez trop de crème glacée, de pizza, de lasagnes, de poutine, de riz, et de poulet.
Si vous étiez dans mes souliers, vous iriez au casino, au cinéma, et au centre d'achats presque une fois par semaine.
Si vous étiez dans mes souliers, vous regarderiez le volley-ball, le baseball, le hockey, et le patinage artistique à la télé tout le temps.
Si vous étiez dans mes souliers, vous souririez et blagueriez autant que possible sur n'importe quel sujet.
Si vous étiez dans mes souliers, vous détesteriez le foie, le froid, les prix énormes pour aller à l'université, et pas avoir une auto.
Si vous étiez dans mes souliers,vous seriez économe, acheteriez les choses seulement en solde, et feriez toujours des économies.
Si vous étiez dans mes souliers,vous rêveriez qu' un jour vous deviendrez riche avec une grande maison, et bien sûr une auto qui coûtera beaucoup d'argent.
Si vous étiez dans mes souliers, vous auriez vingt ans, mesureriez 1,65 m, et chausseriez du sept.
Si vous étiez dans mes souliers, je ne serais pas moi, mais . . .
Si j'étais dans vos souliers . . .

 

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