Humanities Program Spotlight:

Intensive Programs Offered in Chinese and Japanese Language Learning and Teaching

For many, the summer months are the perfect time for special projects: from cleaning out closets to starting a new hobby. For teachers and students of Chinese and Japanese language, summer is the right time for refining skills and increasing competency at the Ohio State Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures (DEALL).

Through DEALL's Summer Programs East Asian Concentration (SPEAC), high school and college-level teachers as well as undergraduate and graduate students can enroll in intensive programs, ranging from seven to ten weeks. The programs specifically designed for teachers utilize lectures, master classes, workshops, and hands-on teaching. Upon completion, participants are able to plan and implement an effective course of instruction and create focused and organized lesson plans. The intensive language program offerings for undergraduates and graduates are at levels I, II, and IV for Japanese language, and I and IV for Chinese. The level IV program in Chinese is hosted in Qingdao, China, providing an additional study abroad component.

Masayuki Itomitsu, a Ph.D. candidate in Japanese language and pedagogy, is the interim director of SPEAC. Says Masayuki, "I've really enjoyed working this year as interim director. It is always nice to work with other teachers to provide better instruction."

The program works in cooperation with two additional Ohio State offices: the National East Asian Language Resource Center which facilitates the study-abroad component in China, and the East Asian Studies Center.

DEALL Chair and Professor Mari Noda serves as director of the Training Program for Teachers of Japanese and Chinese. "SPEAC began in 1994 as an intensive language program, and added the teacher training component in Japanese in 1997, after hosting a teacher-training program for two years. The teaching training component in Chinese was added in 2000. Since 1997, nearly 200 teachers have benefitted from the program."

In addition to SPEAC, DEALL hosts several other summer language activities including the Regents Chinese Academy for eleventh and twelfth graders, Alternative Licensure Program, Startalk Chinese Intensive Day Camp, and Startalk Chinese Program Enhancement Project.

For additional information on SPEAC or any of the programs offered by DEALL, please contact the department at (614) 292-5816.