Conversation clubs bring languages to life on IU campus

Many people who have been to a foreign country say being immersed in a different culture and language was crucial for the development of their foreign language skills. At IU, conversation clubs bring that environment to IU without actually visiting another country.\nFor the past two years, a weekly Hebrew table has met at the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center. The 10 members barely fit around the table at the club's weekly meeting, which is at 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday.\n"It encourages students on campus to converse in Hebrew as well as to meet other students that speak Hebrew," said junior Josh Taff, who is in charge of the table this year. "Plus there is a free kosher meal."\nTaff also explained the table doesn't just benefit Hebrew students, but international students as well. Students from Israel come to the table and help other students with their language skills as well as provide a place for them to speak their native language. \n"They don't get to talk Hebrew all the time on campus, so this gives them that opportunity," Taff said. \nThe French table offers students a place to eat and goes along with a "French House" in Foster Quad, said Rebecca Wilkin, who heads the table. The main function for the house is the French table, which meets at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays in the Gresham food court. Like the Hebrew table, the French table provides people a place to speak French and share a meal.\n"The French House was created so that students who were interested in the French language and francophone cultures could live together in a community and practice their language skills if they wished," Wilkin said.\nThe Spanish table fulfills the need for the many Spanish-speaking students on campus. The speaking hour, called "Tertulias en Español," which meets at noon on Mondays at the Leo R. Dowling International Center, was actually a product of the Spanish Resource Center. \nDirector Jose Laguna said the focus of the club was a way to give people who were interested in Spanish a chance to practice the language and get to know a little about different Spanish cultures. Unlike the Hebrew table, only occasionally do international students come to participate with the table.\n"It is the director of the Center who constitutes the native part of the group," Laguna said.\nLaguna also pointed out the table is more for speaking skills than actual cultural activities.\n"We might do some, though just for showing some aspects of our culture," he said.\nThese clubs put their focus on conversations, a crucial part of developing the language, which help IU students become familiar with foreign cultures and languages.\n"Conversation is the most important part of a language because it gives you more practice and lets you make mistakes, unlike class," Taff said.\nTo get involved with these clubs, contact Jose Laguna at jlaguna@indiana.edu, Rebecca Wilkin at rwilkin@indiana.edu or visit the Hebrew hour Web site at www.indiana.edu/~jsp/HebrewHour.htm.\n-- Contact staff writer Jessica Farber at jefarber@indiana.edu.