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Monday, July 31, 2017

Farewell and Thank You to Ellen Wormwood

The Language Center and the PACE Project would like to thank Ellen Wormwood who is returning to teaching, translating and interpreting after three years as the PACE Assessment Coordinator.

In 2014, Ellen agreed to design and implement a plan to assess between 700 and 900 students per year in seven languages, up to four modalities, and using two assessment instruments. She also accepted the challenging job of explaining the structure and value of these new tests to instructors and students. The first year of testing was sometimes bumpy as we learned more about the tests and how best to administer them. Ellen persevered and stuck with the project through long hours preparing for and administering tests. She worked hard to improve the test experience for students by negotiating with test vendors, improving communication, and constantly refining the testing plan.

PACE Assessment Coordinator was not Ellen's first position at the Language Center; she started as a graduate assistant in 2005. A standout among her roles in our unit was serving as one of the original TandemPlus Coordinators. We are thankful to Ellen for the leadership she brought to new programs and projects.

Monday, July 17, 2017

TandemPlus Assistant Position Open!

TandemPlus is seeking a student for the role of TandemPlus Assistant starting as early as August, 1, 2017. A strong candidate for the position is involved with and interested in the language learning process, has keen attention to detail, is self-motivated and comfortable with speaking publicly. Being registered for at least six credits Fall semester is required, and work study funding is preferred.

The primary role of the TandemPlus Face-to-Face (F2F) Assistant is to help facilitate the operation and development of the Face-to-Face portion of the TandemPlus language/culture exchange program (in-person and virtual exchanges) under the direction of the TandemPlus F2F Coordinator. The TandemPlus Assistant is asked to work a minimum of 10 hours per week.

To apply for this position, please visit the University Employment Center and search for Job # 318392. For more information email tandem@umn.edu.

Monday, July 10, 2017

TandemPlus: Chinese Learners Desired!

TandemPlus is off to a great start this summer, with more than 100 participants having joined in the past few weeks. The majority of participants have been paired for the summer, but there are some languages for which we’re still seeking learners.

If you’re learning Chinese, want to practice, keep up on it, or refresh yourself and brush up on your skills, join TandemPlus! We currently have eleven Chinese speakers seeking English speaking partners for Chinese-English conversation and cultural exchange. Joining the program is as easy as registering at tandem.umn.edu, taking five minutes to fill out a profile, and waiting for us to pair you up!

You can read more about the program online, and email us with any questions at tandem@umn.edu.

Call for PACE Presentations for Fall 2017

As you plan your Fall courses, please consider sharing your innovative ideas with other language instructors. If you have ideas for presentations, please contact Adolfo Carrillo Cabello at carri093@umn.edu.

Get involved! Join the the Professional Development (PD) Peer Team

New to foreign language teaching? Looking for ways to get involved in professional development opportunities? Interested in building up your CV? Please consider joining the PD Peer Team, a group formed of language instructors from all language programs in CLA. The group is charged with advising the Language Center on professional development opportunities. As a group, we discuss topics of interest to language instructors, share our current instructional challenges, and strive to advance the profession. Our group meets once monthly for an hour session. Please contact Adolfo Carrillo Cabello at carri093@umn.edu to get connected.

Fall Semester Reservation Requests Entered Beginning July 17, 2017

The Language Center will begin entering general Fall semester reservations on Monday, July 17, 2017. You may submit reservation requests before that date, and they will be held until then. To have the best possibility of receiving the rooms, media and equipment you need, please submit by that morning.

At the University of Minnesota, the number of language and culture courses scheduled in the evening has declined in recent years. As a result, the Language Center is reducing its Fall 2017 classroom hours. Classrooms may be reserved:

Monday 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

We will make exceptions for some tests and self-assessments scheduled in advance.

Here is some additional information about reservation requests:
  • These reservations always require a reservation form.
  • Please submit a form for each class section.
  • Each class is allowed to reserve up to 15 hours in Jones Hall classrooms.
  • Teachers of intensive courses may negotiate their needs.
  • Reservations for equipment and media are unlimited in terms of amount and frequency (within reason).
  • Instructors must intend to use the technology they are reserving.
  • There is now a waitlist for when the room requested is not available.