2008 Woodie Awards
Professor starts group, tries to bridge the language barrier at URI
Chris Curtis
Issue date: 2/26/08 Section: News
Non-native English speakers will be given the opportunity to practice their oral communication skills, especially in such problem areas as idiomatic expression and colloquialisms through interaction with native speakers.
Rodriguez said this is an interaction that many international students might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience.
"Some international students only have access to English in the classroom, and then when they finish their classes they go back to their own groups, their own community, which is understandable--you want to be comfortable with your surroundings," Rodriguez said.
Kana Sonoda, a Japanese foreign-exchange student, said she is enthusiastic about the opportunities afforded by the program. Sonoda has studied English for six years and is still working to overcome the language barrier. The junior English major said she still has difficulty communicating in class.
"Even if I have knowledge of the field ... I cannot express my thoughts, my ideas, because of my poor English," Sonoda said.
Kristina Randriamanivo, on the other hand, a super-senior exchange student, from the University of Orleans in France, said the language barrier has not been a significant problem for her.
"I don't say that I understand everything, and when everyone is joking around and laughing that I'm into it all the time, no, but it's all right, I'm not lost," Randriamanivo said.
Rodriguez made participation in the program mandatory for her oral communication classes, and, while all international students currently involved are her own students, she is hoping to attract others.
Rodriguez saw the high level of attendance at yesterday's information session as an affirmation of the program's worth.
"I am extremely happy because to me this is a great success," Rodriguez said, "I really hope that this keeps growing and that we reach more and more international students and of course domestic students as well," Rodriguez said.
Those who wish to be involved with program should contact Rodriguez at lrodriguez@uri.edu.
Rodriguez said this is an interaction that many international students might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience.
"Some international students only have access to English in the classroom, and then when they finish their classes they go back to their own groups, their own community, which is understandable--you want to be comfortable with your surroundings," Rodriguez said.
Kana Sonoda, a Japanese foreign-exchange student, said she is enthusiastic about the opportunities afforded by the program. Sonoda has studied English for six years and is still working to overcome the language barrier. The junior English major said she still has difficulty communicating in class.
"Even if I have knowledge of the field ... I cannot express my thoughts, my ideas, because of my poor English," Sonoda said.
Kristina Randriamanivo, on the other hand, a super-senior exchange student, from the University of Orleans in France, said the language barrier has not been a significant problem for her.
"I don't say that I understand everything, and when everyone is joking around and laughing that I'm into it all the time, no, but it's all right, I'm not lost," Randriamanivo said.
Rodriguez made participation in the program mandatory for her oral communication classes, and, while all international students currently involved are her own students, she is hoping to attract others.
Rodriguez saw the high level of attendance at yesterday's information session as an affirmation of the program's worth.
"I am extremely happy because to me this is a great success," Rodriguez said, "I really hope that this keeps growing and that we reach more and more international students and of course domestic students as well," Rodriguez said.
Those who wish to be involved with program should contact Rodriguez at lrodriguez@uri.edu.