Peer Language Advising

Students in a study area in Johnson Hall.

Ask questions, get support, and practice your language skills!

Language Advisers are Occidental students with extensive experience with language, while Visiting Language Assistants are exchange students who lead conversation class and also offer drop-in tutoring hours.

Language Advisers and Visiting Language Assistants can help you:

Practice verbal language skills;
Practice pronunciation;
Discuss readings for better comprehension;
Discuss cultural, social or political issues relevant to the language of study;
Find and view current language materials in social media and other sources;
Work on particular needs by reviewing quizzes and exams;
Prepare for cultural events, karaoke performances, and open mics.

Drop-in Hours for Fall 2024 starting on Sunday, September 8.

(�� log-in required).

Julia Carrigan

I'm a senior MAC and Math major with a CSLC minor & studying Arabic. One of the most important reasons I wanted to come to �� was that my alumni interviewer told me he became fluent in Arabic while studying here. I love the beauty and simple grace of this language; I’m especially excited about the forms and grammatical elegance built into the very structure of Arabic communication. I am learning Arabic primarily to be able to understand the Holy Qur’an and to be able to better understand my religion, Islam, to which I converted about 3 years ago. Our sessions will be informal and fun with an emphasis on merging what you need to know for class and how you want to use the language in your own life. I’m very excited to meet and support you inshaAllah!

Drop-in Hours:

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall Sunday 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Monday, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Wednesday, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Ethan Kerman

Hello everyone! My name is Ethan Kerman and I am the peer tutor for Mandarin Chinese. I am a senior from Portland, Oregon, and I am a double major in Urban and Environmental Policy and Chinese Studies. I started learning Mandarin at a Chinese immersion school when I was four years old, and I've been studying Chinese ever since! Like learning any other language, learning Chinese can be very challenging, but it can also be really fun! Please come and see me for anything you need help with in Chinese; I'm available to help you review vocabulary, grammar, or any other concept you're studying in class. I hope to see you soon!

Drop-in Hours:

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall Sunday 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Thursday 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Rose LeGoff: Visiting Language Assistant

Bonjour ! I am Rose (she/her), the French Visiting Language Assistant for the 2024-2025 year.

I am from Brittany, a coastal region in the northwest of France. I am a graduate student and I have a Bachelor in French Literature and a Bachelor in English studies. I have a little experience in teaching as I worked in a French immersion school in Kansas City (MO) for a year, as well as in a middle school in France.

I will be tutoring for the French department at �� this year, as well as leading conversation classes and the language tables. I am passionate about discovering new cultures and sharing mine so whether you need help for an exam or just feel like chatting in French, please come by during my tutoring hours.

I look forward to meeting you, à bientôt !

Drop-in Hours:

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall Sunday, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m; Monday, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Vivian Anderson

Hi! I’m Vivian (she/her), and I am a junior CSLC major and German and RELS minor from St. Louis, Missouri. I started taking German classes in 7th grade, and haven’t stopped since! In high school I was awarded the Missouri Seal of Biliteracy in German and was part of German National Honor Society. I have taken a number of interesting German classes at ��, but one of my favorites has been Grimm’s Fairy Tales. I am excited to pass on what I know and help you through your German classes!

Drop-in Hours:

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall Sunday, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Thursday, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m

Caitlin Cabanilla

Hi everyone! My name is Caitlin Joy Cabanilla and I’m currently a Senior majoring in Economics & Comparative Studies in Literature and Culture. I’ve been studying Ancient Greek since my Freshman year and I’m excited to be working with you all as the Greek Peer Tutor for this year! I know it can be difficulty going through the Greek gauntlet so I’m here to support you through all your questions and struggles. If you have any questions about translations, grammar, or tips for growing confident in your Greek skills – don’t hesitate to stop by! I’m also happy to chat about career interests or about my majors. Looking forward to seeing you at Language Tutoring!

Drop-in Hours:

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall Sunday, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Elise Coffey

Hi! My name is Elise and I am a sophomore biology major and Japanese studies minor. I am half-Japanese and grew up in Portland, Oregon. I studied Japanese in an immersion program from kindergarten through high school and I am excited to continue my Japanese studies at ��. I was lucky enough to travel to Japan with my class in eighth grade and loved immersing myself in the language and culture. I am here to help with homework, grammar, kanji, studying for exams, or if you want to practice conversational skills! Please don't hesitate to reach out or stop by, I look forward to meeting you!

Drop-in Hours

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall Sunday, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday & Thursday, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sofia Lauro

Hi! I’m Sofia, a senior CSLC major and German/CTSJ minor going into my 3rd year working for you all as Peer Latin Tutor. I’m in my ninth year studying Latin, and last summer I took part in an immersive spoken Latin program in Rome. I also study Ancient Greek, Italian, and German, but have been working the longest with Latin. From my time with the language I know firsthand how difficult it can be, from the memorization it requires, to its complicated grammar, to even the distinctness of its sentence structure. I look forward to helping you make all aspects of your learning process easier and more enriching!

Drop-in Hours

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall Sunday, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday & Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Garrett Howard

Всем привет! My name is Garrett, I’ll be your Russian language peer advisor. I am a senior majoring in Comparative Studies in Literature & Culture (CSLC) with a minor in Linguistics. I’ve studied Russian at �� since my freshman year and I’m excited to help in whatever area you’d like to work on. I also speak Serbo-Croatian and currently study French, and love to talk about anything language related. Hope to see you soon!

Drop-in Hours

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall Sunday, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Bryan Salas: Visiting Language Assistant

¡Buenas, buenas! My name is Bryan, and I'm from the coastal side of Ecuador, one of the seven Andean countries in South America. I have a degree in International Relations with a minor in Textile Art at Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ). I like many things, such as soccer (it is football though), volleyball, going to the beach, eating seafood, and dancing. Spanish, as a language, is so diverse; I will teach you a small part of that linguistic diversity in Latin America. Beyond the language, we share a common culture, the Latin American culture. I would love to talk about my country if you are planning to do an exchange there, as well as about Latin American culture in general (although I can't speak for all countries, I will share what Latinos have in common). If you need help or want to practice your Spanish, don't hesitate to come to the tutoring sessions or enroll in the conversation classes. See you soon, hugs!

Drop-in Hours

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall Sunday, 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m; Monday 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Spanish

Celia Royo Tomas: Visiting Language Assistant

¡Hola! My name is Celia and I am from Alicante, Spain. I am a senior majoring in Education at the Complutense University in Madrid, where I have been living for the past 3 years. I am very excited to meet you all and help you explore interesting topics, learn new words and expressions, and improve our fluency through dynamic and fun conversations. My goal is to create a friendly and relaxed environment where everyone feels comfortable practicing the language. You are always welcome to the tutoring hours, I will try to help you as much as I can.
If you have any questions or concerns with the language, do not hesitate to come and meet me! I look forward to working with you and starting this adventure together!

Drop-in Hours

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall Sunday, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Monday, 5:00 to 6:00p.m.; Tuesday, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Questions about the program? Email Luz Forero at lforero@oxy.edu.

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