School of International Letters and Cultures at ASU

What's the best part about studying the humanities? It's fun!

See our lineup of Humanities Week events for a good time while learning something new.

Take a dance lesson in samba and forró, drop in on an open mic session about cultural identity or learn about the scholar Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, a nun and poet who defied societal expectations of women.

Plus, get career advice at the "So what are you going to do with that?" alumni panel.

Discover how the humanities can enrich your life, foster a more just society and pave the way to your dream career.

Complete list of Humanities Week events: humanities.thecollege.asu.edu/events

Details on SILC’s Humanities Week events:
silc.asu.edu/silc-at-humanities-week

Come join us at the Phoenix Francophone Job Fair! 🙌

The fair is an excellent opportunity for students, professionals, businesses, and educational institutions to network 🌐 and learn about the numerous advantages of speaking French in today’s world. Be it setting yourself apart as a job applicant or accessing a new market for your business 📈, the French language is a de

The fair is co-organized by Arizona State University and the Consulate General of France in Los Angeles with the support of the Québec Government Office in Los Angeles, the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the RMFACC French American Chamber of Commerce and the Alliance Française of Greater Phoenix.

We hope to see you there!

Register now: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdu6EzJaO4QLH.../viewform

ASU Events: https://asuevents.asu.edu/event/phoenix-francophone-job-fair

Professor Reves sat down with Nature magazine to weigh in on the evolving landscape of AI in higher education.

While some worry about the potential for misuse, others, like Reves, see AI as a powerful tool to enhance learning. Language Buddy is a solution to the limited resources students have to practice a second language with native speakers.

Her work is just one example of the dedication to student success found at the School of International Letters and Cultures in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

As AI transforms education, ASU is helping lead the way.

Christiane Reves, an assistant teaching professor in the School of International Letters and Cultures at ASU, developed Language Buddy, an AI-powered tool that helps students practice real-world communication skills while easing the anxiety of language learning.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/yV9t50TlxtI

Summer is over, but the memories live on! ✨

From exploring ancient ruins to eating amazing food and experiencing life immersed in new cultures, take a look at some of the the adventures from this past summer's ASU Global Education programs led by faculty from the School of International Letters and Cultures! 🌍📚

Programs and locations:

📍Japanese language and culture in Hiroshima — Japan 🇯🇵

📍 Natural disasters and environmental and cultural resilience in Sicily — Italy 🇮🇹

📍 Italian language and culture in the Amalfi Coast — Italy 🇮🇹

📍 An exploration of Italian fashion, language and culture in Florence — Italy 🇮🇹

📍 Searching for Dracula — Romania 🇷🇴

Learn more about our Global Education programs at silc.asu.edu/silc-studyabroad.

Summer is over, but the memories live on! ✨

From exploring ancient ruins to eating amazing food and experiencing life immersed in new cultures, take a look at some of the the adventures from this past summer's programs led by faculty from the School of International Letters and Cultures! 🌍📚

Do you see anyone you recognize? 👀
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📍Japanese language and culture in Hiroshima — Japan 🇯🇵
📍 Italian language and culture in the Amalfi Coast — Italy 🇮🇹
📍 Natural disasters and environmental and cultural resilience in Sicily — Italy 🇮🇹
📍 An exploration of Italian fashion, language and culture in Florence — Italy 🇮🇹
📍 Searching for Dracula — Romania 🇷🇴

🔗 in bio to learn more about Global Education Programs.

Welcome back to a new semester! We missed you, Sun Devils.
Now, let's take this semester and put a 'Fork in it. 🔱 😈

🤖 Christiane Reves represented her group of German professor colleagues from the School of International Letters and Cultures to present their "Language Buddy" chatbot, developed as part of ASU's AI Innovation Challenge.

Their language chatbot will help students, especially online students, practice and improve their language skills by simulating a conversation with a native speaker.

Learn more about how they developed this innovative project and how it adjusts to match the student's skill level ➡️ news.asu.edu/20240530-science-and-technology-asu-faculty-create-aipowered-buddy-help-online-students-learn.

Photo: Mike Sanchez

Last semester, students of ITA 494: Noisemakers! Tracing Origins of Modern Music-Italy took a field trip to Taliesin West to practice sound mapping and to learn how to be digital humanities scholars.

Professor of Italian Serena Ferrando has introduced students to digital humanities in several courses including "Noisemakers!" and, more recently, ITA 494: City of Water — Uncovering Milan’s Aquatic Geographies.

By implementing digital humanities methods into research, students are able to learn about history and culture in a way that uses both modern technology and critical thinking.

Learn about the field and its many applications, from mapping out previously covered canals to creating sound maps ➡️ https://ow.ly/Mtym50S9Tlm

Recently, professor of Brazilian studies Glen Goodman (pictured back right) accompanied students of Diplomacy Lab: Brazil to Washington, D.C. to present their findings to diplomats, government officials and peers from universities across the U.S. at the U.S. Department of State! 👏👏

Their work throughout the lab focused on answering the question, "how can US foreign policy and diplomatic missions create benefits for Latin American societies?"

More on what Glen Goodman and students of the Diplomacy Lab had to say about this experience in the article: https://ow.ly/yjGI50RPxWc

Learn more about our partner, the Humanities Lab, at humanities.lab.asu.edu.

Congratulations to Sara Lee who has was selected by the Southwest Conference on Language Teaching as the 2024 Teacher of the Year! 👏👏

“It is so fascinating to see the improvement of my students. And so it’s all very interconnected — what I do as a teacher and for my doctorate and then also my service and outreach,” she said.

Lee's focus has been to improve research and methods available on how to teach a second language to students with learning disabilities.

➡️ Learn more about what inspired her.

ASU professor named 2024 Teacher of the Year by Southwest Conference on Language Teaching | ASU News This year, the Southwest Conference on Language Teaching (SWCOLT) has recognized Arizona State University’s Sara Lee as the 2024 Teacher of the Year. As part of the selection process, Lee gave a policy speech on the importance of language learning, her aspirations of moving the field forward, and ...

The Romanian program at the School of International Letters and Cultures turned 25 this past academic year! 🇷🇴

Ileana Orlich, President's Professor of Romanian studies who started the program, attributes its existence to ASU. According to Orlich, "In order to have a program, in any language, as far as I'm concerned, you need to have a very supportive university. So ASU made possible the existence of this program in the first place."

➡️ Learn more about the Romanian program's history, impact and achievements! https://ow.ly/JKZS50RNygR

Class is dismissed.
Finals are over.
Graduation is complete. 🎉

⏪ Here's a look back at this school year. ⏪

- Family Weekend Block Party
- SILC Cafe
- Dia de los mu***os altars
- KPop performances at the Homecoming Block Party
- Sun Devil Giving Day Dippin for a Difference event
- SILC Cup
- Graduation!

Congratulations to Jacqueline Shea who is graduating with a PhD in comparative cultures and languages this May!

Jacqueline has been a graduate teaching associate while earning her doctorate, teaching several Spanish language classes. Her doctoral research explores the impact that language and culture have on how we view the environment.

Read about Jacqueline's journey and how she combined her love of the environment with studies in languages and cultures.

https://ow.ly/xjZZ50RCgIP

Congrats to the amazing graduates from the School of International Letters and Cultures! 🎓

Your hard work and dedication have truly paid off and we can't wait to see what incredible things you achieve next.

Like this post to shower our new grads with well-wishes. 🎊

Lauren Swartz is graduating this spring 2024 as a double major in German and landscape architecture. Lauren Swartz's ability to think creatively and innovatively makes her a truly outstanding graduating student of the School of International Letters and Cultures.

Read how she combined German, landscape architecture, environmental studies and q***r history for a unique capstone project.

Congrats Lauren!

https://ow.ly/TGAS50RAKmH

"It is important to study foreign languages and cultures. Everyone should include it as part of their education or extracurricular activities, especially with the advancement of technology and globalization. It’s something that I advocate for a lot and why I love the School of International Letters and Cultures so much."

Read more about outstanding grad Racine Merritt and her numerous accomplishments while a student at ASU.

ASU double major plans to use Japanese studies in her business career | ASU News Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2024 graduates.

“I feel that my knowledge of Spanish will help me connect with a greater number of people in both the law and healthcare sectors. Spanish is the second most spoken language here in Arizona, so it’s extremely beneficial to have the tools that allow me to communicate with and better serve this state’s diverse population."

Dean’s Medalist Rachel Cox reflects on her time at ASU and discusses her post-grad plans of attending law school, with a focus on healthcare. Congratulations, Rachel!

Dean's Medalist aims to pursue a path in health law and policy | ASU News Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2024 graduates.

With the busiest part of the semester coming up, we complied the best tricks to relax and unwind. 🧘‍♀️🧘

Hey future grads! With commencement just 3️⃣ weeks away, comment your favorite SILC memory. 🎓

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There are a variety of language and government focused internship opportunities for students looking to make their resumes stand out after they graduate. 🙌

Read below for selected internship opportunities. ⬇️
Visit the SILC website for more details: https://silc.asu.edu/student-life/internships

Local internship: Phoenix Japanese Friendship Garden

The JPN 484 internship provides Japanese majors and minors with the opportunity to earn university credit, improve language skills and gain work experience at Phoenix's Japanese Friendship Garden, involving cultural activities and an independent research project supervised by a SILC advisor.

Local internship: French immersion program for elementary students

French interns will assist teachers in classrooms, earning 3 hours of FRE 484 credit, with two available each semester, requiring enrollment in French courses at the 300 or 400 level.

Internship abroad: Edulingua in San Severino Marche, SILC

ASU Italian students have the opportunity to study intensively with Edulingua in San Severino Marche and participate in a semester-long internship teaching English in central Italy, offering one month of Italian instruction followed by two months of work as assistant language instructors.

Domestic internship: AZ Legislative and Government Internship Program

The Arizona Legislative and Government Internship Program provides full-time internships at various state agencies, offering participants a tuition waiver, a stipend of approximately $6,000 and the opportunity to earn either 12 undergraduate or nine graduate internship credits during the spring semester.

Domestic internship: Diplomat in Residence Program

Diplomats in Residence are career Foreign Service Officers located throughout the U.S. who provide guidance and advice on careers, internships and fellowships to students and professionals in the communities they serve. Contact our representative, Antoinette Hurtado, for more details in careers and internship opportunities!

Congratulations to the winners of the SILC Cup: team Brazil! 🇧🇷 Your win is well deserved. 💪
And special shout out to second place: team Peru. 🇵🇪
Here are some highlights from the tournament.

Still deciding what classes are the right fit for your fall 2024 schedule? 📚

The School of International Letters and Cultures offers a variety of courses developed to grant you the best learning experience possible!

Visit the new Course Spotlight page at silc.asu.edu/student-life/academic-advising/course-spotlight to learn more and register.

"This program not only fills a gap in offerings for online students, but also speaks directly to the tenet of inclusivity in the ASU Charter. With this program, all online students interested in studying Italian have the same opportunities as immersion students."

ASU Online

First-of-its-kind online Italian minor launches at ASU | ASU News As a member of the U.S. Air Force, Angelo Chaknis needed an academic program that would allow him the flexibility to schedule his studies around his work in the military without the stress of competing schedules. Launched this spring for the fall 2024 semester, a new online minor in Italian offered....

This past fall, ASU launched a new bachelor's degree in Culture, Technology and Environment that emphasizes a humanist approach to addressing pressing global challenges.

Read on to learn about how this innovative program empowers students to tackle complex challenges with a holistic perspective. 🌎

👉 https://ow.ly/rqmW50R5WEI