Student Voices

Leslie Sink, '11

Leslie Sink realized she wanted to study French long before she came to Carthage.

"In high school French 3, when all of my classmates were complaining about conjugating verb after verb, I loved it," she says. "I loved the worksheets where we just conjugated and conjugated. That's when I realized how much I love how French is constructed. It made so much sense to me, and I wanted to help other people understand it too."

Majoring in French with a minor in secondary education, Leslie plans to become a high school French teacher. "I love to teach," she explains.

She's had practice already. At Carthage, she tutors Target Language Experts in English, and French level-200 students in French. "I tutor in both languages," she says, "and this has taught me a lot about both languages and how to teach them."

Last year, she had the opportunity to assist in teaching a French 101 class at a local high school. "I got to do fun activities like give the kids Carthage pen pals and have poetry circles and read ghost stories," she says. "It was my first time doing legitimate teaching and it was so rewarding! I miss it already and can't wait to get back in the classroom."

One of her favorite things about the Carthage French program is that studying abroad is a requirement, not just a suggestion. Leslie will spend a semester abroad in Spring 2010. She also loves the French faculty, and the diversity of course material.

"I like that they're all so different and that they're all willing to help me through the tougher parts of the program," she said. "I think the quality of instruction is excellent and the content covered in the courses is very thorough and diverse."

Favorite professor: "Pascal Rollet is my favorite professor. His teaching style fits my learning style really well. I like that he loves to bring in other sources and fun materials to teach us. Since he knows so much about technology and French culture (pop and otherwise), his classes are always full of both. For example, our Written Texts class (311) had us reading comic books, plays and books about Africa. He wanted variety, and I think his teaching philosophy makes so much sense."

Favorite class: Interpreting Written Texts in French. "I liked reading the variety of texts and I thought the activities we did were really fun, interactive, and creative. We got to act out a scene from a play and we read a comic book. This was not the cut-and-dry literature class I was expecting." Another favorite: Language Arts in Secondary Education (EDUC 354). "This was the first class that started to teach me how to teach. I got to do my first teaching for this class and I thought it was really creative and helpful."

Toughest class: "I'd have to say CHEM 101" — General Chemistry 1 — "as lame as that sounds. I am not scientifically minded at all. The lecture wasn't so bad because it was all based on math, but the labs were really tough for me because I don't learn that way and it was hard to translate what I learned in lecture to labs." Her most challenging class? "Heritage I, because all through high school I had gotten away with not taking a position in a paper, debate or anything. Heritage I and my professor, Joseph McAlhany, forced me to pick a side and argue it, using texts that I thought were pretty tough to work with sometimes."

Favorite moments at Carthage: "Well, the teaching of course. I plan an annual art show for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and it's always so rewarding to see that come together. The Carthage Wind Orchestra has had some pretty amazing concerts, abroad in Japan, and here in the chapel. And who doesn't love the Christmas Festival?"

Favorite spot on campus: "To unwind, I'd have to say the big chairs in the basement of the library, but I also love Einstein's and Starbucks, and I love the Denhart Courtyard in the spring for volleyball. I love the Chapel during Christmas."

Biggest surprise so far: "How much I love my classes. I was always doubtful of people who said that you know what you're supposed to be doing when you love your classes, but I know that it's true. I don't always love the workload, but I love what I'm learning. I'm also always surprised at how fast college students grow up, as corny as that sounds."

Student Voices

Chinese

Jessica Fisher, '13

"I knew that if I knew Chinese, I would have a better chance of getting jobs because it is such a worldwide language."
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Vanessa Valentine, '13

"The biggest surprise to me is how much I have learned — not only academically, but also personally. I am a better person now than I was two years ago."
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John Gutt-Jankowski, '14

By studying both Chinese and Spanish, John said that when he graduates, he will have learned three of the most important languages in the world.
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Valerie Hathaway, '13

"The Chinese program is filled with professors who enjoy teaching their students the language."
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French

Jesse Daniel, '12

"I never realized how many doors are opened through studying abroad. Living in another culture, you become part of it, and are no longer a tourist."
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Emily Kolesar, '12

By studying both French and English, Emily has been able to mature as a writer.
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Diane Hahn, '14

"The Modern Language Department truly has made my learning experience an enjoyable one, and I can't image going to any other college because I'm afraid I'll be disappointed in this aspect."
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German

Anna Treudt, '13

"Both in German and archaeology the willingness to learn is what separates you from the others. That might sound uninteresting and a little daunting, but when you find something you like, you enjoy it."
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Karin Wirth, '13

Karin Wirth was raised with a rich German Heritage, which led to her love of the language. She is also a DAAD scholarship winner and a tutor for the Modern Languages department.
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David Rosenberg, '12

"The openness of the professors and their willingness to help struggling students" are among the Modern Language Department's biggest strengths.
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Ronald Harris, '12

Ronald is pursuing a minor in German, after studying the language since kindergarten.
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Japanese

Jennifer Weiss, '14

"Our businesses are becoming more global by the day, and Japan is one of the top countries America does business with. I want to be as prepared as possible when it comes to doing business with Japan."
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Spanish

Elizabeth Reinhardt, '12

"It's difficult to really learn a language if you don't actually use it. Studying abroad is the only way to really immerse yourself in it entirely."
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Andrea Winbigler, '13

"Carthage really became my second home and all the people here have become my second family."
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Read student voices from graduated students.