Students’ language skills could improve if they are members of one of the available language or culture clubs on the University of Memphis campus, and those who do not utilize these opportunities could miss out on the extra learning these groups provide.
Vania Barraza Toledo, a professor of Spanish literature at the U of M, has been the director of the Spanish Club for nine years and said she has always encouraged students to participate in a language or culture club, so they can strengthen their speaking abilities and other skills in foreign cultures. She said it is sometimes difficult for students to commit with their current schedules, but they can learn many things from engaging in a foreign language club.
“I think that the issue is that the students have a very busy life with their assignments and obligations, so it makes it a little challenging to have a consistent ability to have a group that will meet on a regular basis,” Barraza Toledo said.
Any student seeking a Bachelor of Arts has to take a language class up to the second intermediate level, so students seeking that degree could benefit from a chance to practice their language. There are registered student organizations for Arabic, Classics, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish at the U of M.
Elizabeth Bridges, a German professor at Rhodes College, said joining a foreign language club can improve a student’s abilities to speak or comprehend the culture or language they are studying, and one cannot expect to learn and retain knowledge of a language without practicing it.
“I’ve seen lifelong friendships happen in the (foreign language and culture) clubs,” Bridges said. “Obviously, any amount of exposure to the language that you gain is going to give you a leg up in gaining proficiency.”
If students want to learn a foreign language, then they should want to practice it as well, Bridges said.
“Basically the two components of language proficiency are exposure to that language and motivation in using the language,” Bridges said. “People learn languages without ever taking a class. You can learn any language if you are immersed in the right environment and if you put a little effort into it. People taking a class and then experiencing an immersive activity, such as something hosted by a club, will obviously increase their exposure to the language, and therefore their proficiency.”
Alexandra Barnes, the president of the Spanish Club at the U of M and an International Studies major with a Spanish minor, said anyone with a passion for learning Spanish language should join the Spanish Club.
“If you have a passion for a language, people or culture, joining a language club would be perfect for you,” Barnes said. “The benefits you can receive from being a member of a club like this are so rewarding.”
Barnes said her favorite part about being in the Spanish Club is the diversity of the people involved.
“There are native speakers and non-native speakers in the Spanish Club, and it makes the entire connection between us unique,” Barnes said.
