BOSSA Open House

Friday, September 9, 2016
9:30-3:30 p.m.
Jones 35
Online Information (no registration required)

The BOSSA team has been busy this summer preparing for the Fall semester. As we get started for the new semester, we invite you to join us at this BOSSA Open House to socialize with new and current users of BOSSA and get answers to your questions about BOSSA. Get a behind-the-scenes perspective on the BOSSA protocol, and a sneak peek of a new, one-touch BOSSA delivery system!

Mark your calendars for the BOSSA Open House, and come out and share experiences with other BOSSA users in an informal setting while getting to know the new one-touch BOSSA delivery. Refreshments will be served.

CARLA Director—Goodbye and Hello!

The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) is preparing for a big change as the current director Elaine Tarone retires from the University, and they welcome the new director, Kate Paesani.

We invite our colleagues in the language education community to two open house events in celebration of these important passages.

Farewell Open House for Elaine Tarone
Thursday, August 11, 2016
3:30-4:30 p.m.
University Int’l Center Room 101

You are invited to come have some cake and goodies with Elaine Tarone on her second-to-last day in the CARLA office. While we had a great time celebrating her illustrious career at a formal retirement party back in April, Elaine continued her work as CARLA director throughout the summer and even taught a CARLA summer institute. This informal event offers another opportunity to share your good wishes with Elaine as she heads off to the wonderful world of retirement!

See pictures from Elaine’s retirement party on the CARLA photo archive page.

Welcome Open House for Kate Paesani
Thursday, September 1, 2016
3:00-4:30 p.m.
University Int’l Center Room 101

CARLA and the Language Center invite you to meet and welcome CARLA’s incoming director Kate Paesani. While Kate’s primary position will be in CARLA, she will also work 25%-time to support CLA language programs. Join us for some cake and lemonade/coffee to welcome Kate to the U at this informal open house.

Kate Paesani comes to the University of Minnesota from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, where she was an associate professor and director of basic French courses. Dr. Paesani earned her Ph.D. in French linguistics from Indiana University. Her research focuses on literacy-based curriculum and instruction and foreign language teacher development.  We are thrilled to have her join our team!

Learn more about Kate on her new CARLA staff page.

TandemPlus Goes Wild at the Como Zoo and Conservatory

On Friday, July 22, 2016, MELP and TandemPlus will co-host a trip to the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. Interested participants should gather in front of Nicholson Hall at 2:30 p.m. to catch the bus to the Zoo. With a wonderful variety of animals, as well as a gorgeous botanical garden in the Conservatory, the Como Zoo aims to inspire its visitors with a closer connection to nature. The event is open to all TandemPlus participants, and it's free (though donations to the Zoo are suggested). It's a wonderful opportunity to visit one of the Twin Cities' top attractions and use and improve second-language skills. Those interested in attending should contact Tandem at tandem@umn.edu.

Falafel, Fellowship and Fun at Eid Lunch with TandemPlus and the Arabic Program

On Thursday, June 7, TandemPlus and the Arabic Program co-sponsored our second annual Eid lunch. This was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Eid Al Fitr, the Muslim holiday at the end of the month of fasting, Ramadan. More than 30 native Arabic speaking students and learners, as well as other TandemPlus participants and friends, gathered in Nicholson Hall, where Wally’s Falafel and Hummus in Dinkytown provided delicious authentic Arabic food such as tabouli, hummus, and baba ganouj, and the Arabic Program provided Arabic music and drinks. While enjoying the food and music, participants conversed and exchanged information in different languages about their countries. Eid mubarak!

If you have any questions or inquiries about TandemPlus, please contact tandem@umn.edu.

TandemPlus is Experiencing a Sizzling Summer

Summer registration for TandemPlus is currently open. We are currently experiencing our biggest summer yet, with more than 125 language learners registered; however, we are always looking for more participants, especially learners of Chinese, Korean, and Arabic; or native speakers of French, Spanish or Portuguese. Anyone looking for a second-language conversation partner should register soon at tandem.umn.edu.

Join TandemPlus and the Minnesota English Language Program (MELP) on Friday, July 22, 2016 for a trip to the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. We will leave the MELP office at Nicholson Hall at 2:30 p.m. This new event is open to all TandemPlus participants.

Please send questions or inquiries about TandemPlus to tandem@umn.edu.