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Foreign Languages and Literatures: Language Houses
As part of its educational program, the Department operates three small residences - a French, a German, and a Spanish house, each under the leadership of a resident graduate student who is an assistant in the Department and a native speaker of the language. While in residence, students are expected to speak French, German, or Spanish exclusively. Some courses are conducted in the Houses, and each house holds one cultural activity per semester.
History of Language House Living at Hood
The Language house experience has been available to Hood students for over twenty years. La Maison Française is located behind Coblentz; Das Deutsche Haus is located on Magnolia Avenue behind the gym; and La Casa Española is located in the Marx Center.Living in a small house, you make close friends, friends for life. [Each]
house has its own personality, that of the people who fill it with laughter,
talks through the night, friendship, care and support.
- Marie Schmitt, French Language Assistant
Each language is spoken at all times in the respective house. Students thus have the opportunity to experience total immersion within the language. Students living in the houses run their meetings in the language, share occasional meals during which the language is spoken, and coordinate activities which enhance their understanding of the respective culture.
Each house has a language assistant who is selected by the Foreign Languages and Literatures Department. The assistants are native speakers who teach conversation classes in the house. In addition, they are responsible for assisting the residents in their efforts to become fluent.
To qualify to live in one of the houses, students must be currently enrolled in a language class at or above the intermediate level (103). Freshmen are welcome to apply! Applications are available in the Foreign Language Department or by contacting Residence Life.
La Maison Française
La Maison Française is a beautiful house located near the dining hall. The second floor is the French floor and houses a maximum of 12 students in double and single rooms. Two separate common areas are located in the basement, used for socializing and also as classrooms. A newly renovated kitchen and laundry room are also on the basement level. The French Assistant, a graduate student from France, lives in the house and encourages the residents to speak French.It's like living in a house with lots of sisters and no parents. And even
if there were, they couldn't understand because we're speaking French.
- Jenn Lauranzon, Class of 2000
Activities that La Maison Française has conducted in the past include crepe brunches, wine and cheese receptions, films, poetry readings, fashion shows and performances of plays.
Das Deutsche Haus
Das Deutsche Haus is a small family-style home which houses five students in one double and three singles. The first floor has a kitchen, living room and dining room. The German assistant, a native of a a German-speaking country, lives in the house and encourages the exclusive use of German.Living in the German House [was] an enjoyable experience. My German has
improved by living with...fluent speakers.
- Amy Estell, Class of 2001
Activities sponsored by Das Deutsche Haus include slide shows, games and skits in German.
La Casa Española
La Casa Española occupies a townhouse on campus that houses ten to twelve students. The first floor has a living area and full kitchen. The Spanish Assistant, a student from the University of Barcelona, helps the residents with their Spanish and encourages them to use the language at all times.Living in the Spanish House...enables me to develop my verbal skills...in
a supportive environment that is like my second family.
- Tina Philip, Class of 2000
Activities that La Casa Española has sponsored in the past years include
Spanish dinners, films, guest speakers, poetry readings and performances.