About the Language Learning Center

Survey on planned changes in Lab Build

August 2011. Dr. Shoaf attended the meetings of the LLC and SPS departments and distributed a survey on planned lab use, looking forward to the implementation in Spring 2012 of Windows 7 (requiring upgrades to some software). Also relevant is the possibility of using a Virtual Machine build, which CLASnet is experimenting with. This reduces the need for new and more powerful computers, but it also reduces the usefulness of the computers as media players: audio CDs, DVDs, and CD-ROMS will no longer work.

If you were not present at the meetings but would like to fill out the survey, click here for a Word version. It can be turned in at the lab or at either the LLC or SPS department offices.

hina dan

Hina Matsuri

March 3 (the third day of the third month) is Hina Matsuri, the Doll Festival, in Japan. It coincides with Momo no Sekku, the Peach Festival. In 1317 Turlington, through March 4, the display of dolls is up. Fifteen dolls represent a court of the Heian period, a thousand years ago, and their games, eating and drinking utensils, and modes of transportation are all reproduced in minature, along with furniture devoted to such pursuits as smoking, makeup, and writing.

Satellite channels

The foreign-language satellite channel lineup has changed radically as of November 2010. The lab no longer has funds to support so many channels.

Course fees

The Language Learning Center now collects a course fee. This fee is assessed on most undergraduate courses in the departments. of Spanish and Portuguese Studies and Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (excluding courses on materials in translation). Its purpose is to allow us to maintain the services we offer, especially computer classrooms for language instruction. Applying the fee to so many course keeps it low (currenly $.93/credit hour) and also gives all language instructors the flexibility of deciding tomeet in the labs or to assign lab use to their students.