With heightened national attention on the Middle East after Sept. 11, enrollment in University’s Yamada Language Center’s Arabic Self-Study Program more than tripled between fall and winter term — the highest jump in the program’s short history.
Spring term enrollment in Arabic classes did not reach another record-breaking level, but interest in learning less commonly taught languages remains high as University students continue to enroll in the nine different languages offered by the program.
“I think the 9/11 attacks kind of prodded some of these students into following their interests and the sustained focus on the area in the media has kept interest in the region at a high level,” Arabic instructor for the program Chris Holman said.
“More than half of the students are (continuing) students as well, so I think they feel that we are meeting their needs and they are also having a good time learning,” said Holman, whose experience with Arabic includes serving in the U.S. Army as an interrogator and Arabic linguist
Currently, there are 10 students in the Arabic program down from 17 total winter term. Four students are in the intermediate class and six are in the beginning class. While the number of students has decreased between winter and spring term, there is still an interest among students to learn the Arabic language and culture.
Sheramy Barry, a post-baccalaureate archeology student, is one of the four students in the intermediate Arabic classes. She has taken Arabic since fall term and said the casual atmosphere and flexibility of the classes are just some of the program’s highlights.
“I love languages,” Barry said. “And if I am ever in the Middle East working, what I have learned will be very helpful.”
The Self-Study Language Program began in 1997 with the goal of teaching students less commonly taught languages. The program emphasizes developing communication skills, and students learn both the language and culture of a particular country. The program offers language classes including Shona, Thai, Swahili, Turkish, Portuguese, Cantonese and Nepali. The program also offers two levels Hindi and Urdu, which are taught together.
Yamada Language Center Director Jeff Magoto said enrollment in the entire self-study program is approximately 70 students this term — up from approximately 40 students in spring 2001. Portuguese has the highest enrollment with Hindi and Urdu classes following in second.
The Hindi and Urdu courses jumped between winter and spring term with an increase from 7 to 11 students participating in the classes. Urdu is the language of Pakistan and Hindi is the language of India. The two languages are taught in conjunction with each other because they are spoken similarly, even though they are written differently.
Magoto said the self-study program is offered to University members as well as to those outside of the University community. With an emphasis on self-instruction, self-motivation is key to the success in the program.
“The people who do the best in self-study are students who have a real intrinsic motivation,” Magoto said.
While self-motivation is important, classes have a tutor available during each session to help students. The tutors are an extremely important resource and students take advantage of the tutor’s extensive knowledge and expertise of the language. Based on student response, Magoto said the tutor is a highly valued asset to the program.
“The tutor is always cited as the No. 1 reason to the success of the students who succeed and benefit from the program,” he said. “The tutor is a vital part of the program.”
While it is difficult to predict how many new students will enroll and how many old students will return, there are those who know they will be in the program next year. Barry said there is no doubt she will continue to enroll in the self-study program. The only question is what language she will take.
“It’s between Cantonese and Arabic,” she said. “But either way, I’ll be back. It’s a wonderful program.”