Florida Memorial University to host two Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants

Florida Memorial University (FMU)
Florida Memorial University (FMU)
Florida Memorial University (FMU)

Florida Memorial University to host two Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants

From Adriene Wright

Adriene.wright@fmuniv.edu

      MIAMI GARDENS, FL – For the second year in a row, Florida Memorial University has been selected to receive two Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants (FLTAs) for the 2013-2014 academic year. This year, Ms. Veronica Pasqualin Machado of Puerto Alegre, Brazil will teach beginning and intermediate Portuguese, and Ms. Shuting Jang, of Kaohsiung City, Taiwan will teach Mandarin Chinese to beginning and intermediate level students.  Both FLTAs will live on campus, take classes with FMU students, and share knowledge about their cultures and countries with the entire FMU community while immersing themselves in the Florida Memorial culture.

“We are excited to have the Portuguese and Chinese FLTAs for the 2013-2014 school year because they enhance student and faculty learning through personal engagement”, stated Dr. Callwood-Braithwaite, Assistant Vice-President of Academic Affairs. The FLTA program enables FMU to broaden the range of languages that are available to students. These languages are recognized by the US State department as “critically needed” and by offering them, students are better prepared to enter the workforce and make a substantial impact in global markets.  Dr. Callwood-Braithwaite further stated that, “In this way we are directly contributing to our institution’s mission to, instill in students the importance of becoming global citizens.”

Throughout the year, FMU will host several events for the entire campus to meet the FLTAs and become acquainted with their languages and cultures. Last year, the FLTAs enhanced student learning in Religion and Philosophy, English, Music, Education and other disciplines though guest lectures and shared activities. The University anticipates even more opportunities to engage with this year’s guests.

The Fulbright FLTA Program is a federally funded pro-gram that brings teaching assistants in 33 languages from nearly 50 countries around the world to select U.S. colleges and universities. Those awarded are sent here to teach and assist in foreign language instruction, to study U.S. history and culture, and to serve as cultural ambassadors for their countries on their respective assigned campuses. Florida Memorial University is honored to participate in the program again because it provides a unique opportunity for students to experience international cultures without the cost of air travel.  It is hoped that exposure to these high demand foreign languages will encourage and stimulate student interest in other international study opportunities.

Located in the City of Miami Gardens, Florida Memorial University is a private, historically Black institution offering 41 undergraduate degree programs and four graduate degree programs to a culturally diverse student body. Since its inception in 1879, the University has upheld a commitment to providing a solid foundation for thousands of young people and opening doors to educational opportunities that may have otherwise been closed to them. As South Florida’s only Historically Black College or University (HBCU), it is widely recognized for being the birthplace of the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.” Florida Memorial University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). For more information about FMU, visit www.fmuniv.edu.

 

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Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

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