Consider Dan O’Hara. A New York-based litigation lawyer, he
graduated in 2016 able to speak Spanish, Chinese and Portuguese. While
his three languages major was difficult — “Sometimes, after a day of
classes, you would want to think only in abstract colors and shapes
rather than concrete and articulate words,” he said — the degree opened
multiple doors.
“Every interview I’ve been on, if the interviewer was even remotely
interested in foreign languages or foreign language study, that was an
automatic connection,” said O’Hara, who studied abroad in Spain, China
and Brazil as an undergraduate. “I interviewed for a judge clerkship and
was told: ‘I picked you because you like languages, and I like
French’.”
So, yes, speaking foreign languages has enriched his life in multiple
ways, O’Hara said, “but also the people who comprise the languages
department at UD were really champions of me. My involvement with them
enriched my life.”
For those looking to teach their language of choice post graduation,
UD is the only institute of higher education in the state to offer a program for aspiring foreign language educators.
But this support does not end with graduation — Blue Hens entering the
field in Delaware can expect continued outreach from DLLC faculty. One
example of this outreach is the Path to Proficiency. A collaborative
professional development program that began in 2018, this initiative
allows for coordination between UD experts and K-12 instructors in
Delaware, ensuring a forum for connection between educators, a
consistent approach to curriculum across grade levels and ultimately
better retention of world language learners. For ongoing professional
teacher support, UD faculty work closely with the state professional
organization (the Delaware Council on the Teaching of Forei
Article by Diane Stopyra
Photos by Kathy
F. Atkinson and courtesy of Julia Tedesco, Dan O’Hara, James Weaver,
Mackenzie Campbell, Persephone Braham, Edgard Sankara, Barbara
Moltchanov
May 21, 2021
gn Languages,
or DECTFL) and the Delaware Department of Education.
“It is not enough to say to our
students: ‘Alright, we’ve had you for four years, now enter the world
and good luck’,” said Barbara Moltchanov, assistant professor of Spanish
and foreign language pedagogy.
“We want to support you and help you continue to grow, so that you can
in turn support your own students, who will one day enter the
profession. This is an important cycle.”
While the options awaiting students enrolled in DLLC may be vast and
varied, a common thread connects these Blue Hens, at least according to a
seasoned member of UD’s Asian Studies faculty.
“Immersion in another culture doesn’t merely provide students with
insight into that culture, but into their own roots as well — into their
Article by Diane Stopyra
Photos by Kathy
F. Atkinson and courtesy of Julia Tedesco, Dan O’Hara, James Weaver,
Mackenzie Campbell, Persephone Braham, Edgard Sankara, Barbara
Moltchanov
May 21, 2021
own Americanness,” said Mark Miller, assistant professor of Japanese
studies. “Many end up inspired to fix what’s broken, to make
improvements where they can. They end up making their communities
better.”
Article by Diane Stopyra; illustration by Jeffrey C. Chase
Published May 21, 2021