WCC builds a conducive environment for students to pursue their interest in foreign languages by enhancing existing resources and offering more choices
In 2022, the Information Resource Centre shifted its foreign language corner to a different location within the library, while adding a new range of books, magazines, and a TV set. After the advancements, students frequent the Foreign Language Corner more often.
The corner, created in 2017 for easy access to all resources in foreign languages at the library, was located close to the stairs leading to the first floor. The shelves in this area used to have dictionaries, guides, and travelogues in Spanish, German, Japanese, French, and other languages.
In its new location, near the entrance to Reading Hall I, the foreign language corner is eye-catching, with a dash of sophistication and comfort. The newly installed television set here secures the most traction. From 08:00 am to 06:00 pm every working day, the TV broadcasts the ‘French 24’ station, streaming news, fashion shows, culinary glimpses, etc in French. Students can watch them from the comfort of the cushioned couches placed there.
Magazines and comics are placed within arm's reach from the couches, creating a relaxed atmosphere. The edition that is most popular among curious minds who visit the corner is the ‘Lonely Planet’ book series. The series gives glimpses into the cultures of countries such as Singapore, Italy, China, Sri Lanka, etc.
During a conversation about the changes brought to the library, the Librarian Dr Lisa Sheba Rani expressed her wish to expand the corner further by bringing in artefacts, journals, and a variety of books. “Hopefully, this place will evolve into a ‘culture corner’ where students can learn about different countries, cultures, and languages by observing the different representations we set up here,” she said.
The augmentation of the foreign language corner could not have come at a more opportune time. Currently, the college in partnership with Inaword Academy is offering certified courses in Japanese, German, and Spanish. Reviews of the courses are generally good with regard to both curriculum and teaching. Two former students of WCC who completed the courses opined that the classes are also a great place to meet students with similar interests. “Offline classes are great. I had amazing teachers who taught really well. They are ready to explain umpteen times,” says Anees Fathima A S, who completed her first level in Spanish.
The academy splits each standard level of a language course into two and accommodates half a level in each semester. So if a student pursues one of the language courses from semester one of her degree programme, she would have completed three standard certified levels in the language by the end of her third year. The courses also have a highly anticipated ‘end programme,’ that the students get to plan and coordinate in the language they learned.
Speaking about the end programme, Lakshana R, from the Department of Plant Biotechnology, who studied Japanese said, “Since it was an online class, we met for making videos, and the bond we made thanks to our shared love for anime, still continues after the course...We were pleasantly surprised at how well the programme turned out. As a team and as individuals, we put forth what we loved doing and learned along the way for classes.”
