Xavier University’s modern language department has opened a new Language Resource Center. The Center, which is located on the fourth floor of the Conaton Learning Commons, opened at the beginning of the semester and will serve as a place for modern language students to improve their writing, listening and pronunciation skills in their focus languages. The Modern Languages department
plans on making full use of this new facility, which
boasts 24 networking computers, a SmartBoard and the latest listening and speech technology. “We hope that the Center becomes another hub of activity not only for language classes but also internationally-themed
events across the University,” Chair of Modern Languages
David Knutson said. “The Center is more of an interactive, flexible learning space than the traditional language lab,”
Spanish students at the 100 level have already taken advantage of the facilities on offer in the Center.
They have participated in video conferences with language coaches in Guatemala from the comfort of the Language Resource Center. It is not just Spanish students that have been able to test the new space. French Conversation groups have held frequent meetings there and Intensive English students have been using the facility to hone their skills in the mother tongue of the United States. “We are thrilled to open a facility that will enable the students and faculty to use the latest technology. It will give students the
motivation to explore modern languages,” Knutson said.