Watch the video (total time: 04:10) »
Two Foreign Language Assistants with degrees in film studies from University of A Coruña have created a video to promote the Foreign Language Assistants Program, which is part of the department of Modern Languages and Literatures.
The video, created by Miriam and Sonia Albert Sobrino, identical twins from Spain who have served as Spanish FLAs this academic year, shows students that learning languages is not only useful but also fun.
Helen Freear-Papio, coordinator of the Foreign Exchange Visitors Program at Holy Cross, challenged the Albert Sobrinos to create a hip video after watching one of their recent productions featuring FLAs titled “We are family and our family is Europe.”
In addition to language classes, students studying foreign languages at Holy Cross are required to attend practicum sessions taught by FLAs. The teachers help students master another language and give them insight into other cultures.
During practicum, the FLAs use different teaching methods. The most common are “situations” where students pretend to be in a foreign environment and must use their new language skills only. It is those “situations” that are translated to the video.
“As native speakers,” says Sonia, “the FLAs will prepare students to be ready to use the foreign language in any situation even those that might not happen in real life, like the spy situation in the video!”
Twelve out of the 14 FLAs participated in the making of the video.
“The FLAs did an amazing job,” Miriam says. “They were very professional, they never complained and they showed that apart from being great instructors, they also have wonderful acting skills.”
The Albert Sobrinos, who are also registered nurses, describe their year at Holy Cross as “amazing.”
“Living here has been a great way to get to experience American culture and along the way we formed a new family — the “FLAmily” as we all call it,” Sonia says. “We have made great friends among all the FLAs and students. The worst part of this experience is that it is over and we will miss all the friends that we have made here. Luckily, we will always have the video to remind us how fun our year has been.”
Watch the video (total time: 04:10) »
Video Created by Foreign Language Assistants Celebrates Joy of Learning Languages
Spanish instructors with background in film studies illustrate benefits of learning foreign languages
Read Time
2 Minutes
