Chinese Language Table

Graphic by Anjali Rao-Herel ‘22

By Sophie Soloway ’23

Global Editor

 The Chinese Language Table has moved to a remote space this year. In past years, the group met over a shared meal featuring a traditional Chinese dish, but this year, event organizers have adapted to ensure that students still have an engaging space to practice the Chinese language. Students gather weekly to practice their speaking abilities with peers and TAs as well as discuss current events related to their studies.  

Jamie Day ’22, a double major in biology and East Asian studies at Mount Holyoke, talked about what she most appreciates about the event. “I enjoy talking about Chinese culture and … implementing my newly learned vocabulary from that [day’s] Chinese lecture,” she said. “I get the rare opportunity to speak with native speakers and see other peers my age struggle with me to [perfect] a very tonal-heavy language.”

In fact, some participants prefer the move to a remote setting. Day has participated in the Chinese Language Table since her sophomore year but has noticed that some aspects are better on a virtual platform. “Being virtual has made it easier for me personally. Before MHC went remote, [the] Chinese [Language Table] was during dinner time, and I was unable to make it at most times. The [dining] hall would be loud and made it hard to have one-on-one conversations,” she commented. 

Remote participation allows some students to have more individualized practice, as well. Day said, “Now, during our [Zoom] gatherings, the students [are] divided up into chat rooms and paired up with a professor or a TA. This [is] an improvement in terms of the learning environment.”

Day described her new routine with the table, saying, “As a third-year Chinese student, I will usually come in with a Chinese newspaper article that I need help reading through for an assignment. When in my private chat room, I can get some quality tutoring and get all my questions answered effectively!”

Day reflected that what she loves most about the Chinese Language Table is “the chance to keep in touch with my previous Chinese teachers that I don’t have classes with anymore, or meeting other professors in the Chinese department that I will likely take courses with in the future!” 

The Chinese Language Table meets every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST and is open to students of all language levels. Contact Professor Alice Kao at akao@mtholyoke.edu to participate.

Korean Language Table

Graphic by Anjali Rao-Herel ‘22

By Amelia Luo ’23

Staff Writer & Photographer

This year, due to remote learning, the Korean Language Table is being hosted through Zoom. Although different from the traditional language table experience, students are adapting, finding new and innovative ways to celebrate Korean language and culture virtually. 

“The table’s goal is to make students more motivated in learning Korean as their second language … because sometimes it’s hard to start learning a new language,” Chloe Choi ’21, the host of the Korean Language Table, said. This is Choi’s first year working as a Korean language assistant and third year as a language tutor. 

“The Korean language assistant [and] tutor job is always pleasant because I can meet many students who’re interested [in] or even love the culture where I’m from,” she said. 

Each week, the language table has different themes. In the first module, they covered the national holidays of Korea; in the current module, they are learning more about Korea’s culture, history and geography. 

Choi expressed her initial worries with holding Korean Language Table on Zoom. “In the beginning, I was a little afraid of using Zoom since I was a bit worried about … less motivation [from] students,” she said. “Fortunately, everyone is very passionate and active in the events.”

Clare Heywood ’21, who is also a Korean language mentor, sees the event as a bridge that connects a small community. “I find that it’s a very lovely way for those learning Korean at the moment or those people who have taken Korean courses at Mount Holyoke in the past to connect with the language in a small and community-based manner each week,” Heywood said. “I’m incredibly glad they’re still being held through the pandemic, and that I can continue to meet a wide array of Mount Holyoke students with similar interests as well as offer them my support as an upperclassman.”

Ayesha Khalid ’23 expressed excitement about how the language table has influenced her study of Korean. “I took Intro Korean in the first module, but I am still attending Korean Language Tables in the second module,” Khalid said. “The breakout room discussions are very engaging, and it is really fun to talk about Korean culture even if our class peers are far from each other and doing it virtually. The experience is very lively and [we’re all] inclusive of each other.”

“It would be even more fun if Korean Language Table takes place in person over the upcoming semesters,” Khalid added.

Venesia Delancy ’22 hasn’t missed a single Korean Language Table since the semester started. This surprised Delancy, who said, “Given the circumstances, I'm glad we’ve been able to transform the language table into something that still engages us and the students during these times.” 

The virtual Korean Language Table is hosted weekly on Thursdays from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. EST. Anyone interested in learning about Korean language or culture is welcome to join. The event is made accessible to all levels of Korean speakers, as well as people who have no background in the language at all. For the Zoom link, please contact Professor Kyae-Sung Park (kspark@mtholyoke.edu). 

Practice Your Spanish With Tus Amigos

Graphic by Anjali Rao-Herel ‘22

By Jocelyn Zhou ‘22

Staff Writer 

Every Monday and Wednesday, members of the Spanish department, Spanish speakers and Spanish learners gather around the virtual Cafecito de Espanol, or Spanish Language Table.  This table is held for Spanish learners of all levels to come together and embrace the Spanish language, according to one organizer, Emma Sullivan ’22. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the table meeting is being held over Zoom this year. 

During the meeting, students meet one another and practice conversational Spanish, as opposed to the more formal and academic Spanish spoken in the classroom.  

Sullivan talked about how the Spanish Table tries to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome when speaking the language. “We make sure that we speak slowly and that we have a cheat sheet with key words and phrases,” Sullivan said. “Usually one of us will work more closely with the student[s] who are at a lower level to make sure they understand and can get something out of … Spanish Table.” Along with Sullivan, Elizabeth Belka ’22, Katie Milligan ’22, Rahael George ’21, Cydney Hambrick ’22 and Allie Benguiat ’22 attended this week’s table.

“I attend the cafecitos to practice and strengthen my Spanish in an informal setting,” Hambrick said. “I could not fit [a] Spanish [class] in my first module so this was a great way to keep my skills up. I also plan on studying abroad, so this is an awesome opportunity to learn more colloquial phrases and vocabulary beforehand,” she added.

The table usually starts with iceberg questions to help everyone engage in the conversation. There are no specific topics to discuss, but this year, there is a lesson plan for each Zoom call.

“We have talked about music from the Spanish-speaking world, the evolution of beauty [and] hairstyles in different Spanish-speaking countries, Indigenous peoples in Latin America, Mexican Independence Day, different styles of dance, slang from different countries,” and more, Sullivan said.

Benguiat encouraged people to come have fun at Spanish Table. “It's just fun to talk and watch videos together,” Benguiat said. “I hope we can play games like Pictionary together in Spanish in the future.” 

Cafecito de Espanol meets from 4:30 p.m to 6 p.m. EST every Monday and Wednesday. More information about the event can be found on the Mount Holyoke College events calendar.