Six students sit together: at the Ole Auburn Ale House last Wednesday night to practice their Spanish skills. Several language classes offered by the Auburn Foreign Languages Department have individual language nights for practice. JD Schein / Photo Editor
In fall 1989, French student Benlee Huguley started going to Momma Goldberg’s Deli every Thursday night to practice his skills with the newly formed French Conversation Club.
Even after graduating, Huguley continued to attend the club, which now meets at the Old Auburn Ale House Wednesdays at 9:15 p.m.
Now a French teacher, Huguley said the club helped him get to where he is today.
“To a great extent, I owe my ability to speak French and a good deal of my understanding of French culture to the conversation table,” Huguley said. “I essentially owe my career to the table.”
Every week, the club draws about a dozen students, faculty members and native speakers.
Other languages offer similar tables to help students practice their conversation skills.
The Spanish table, “La Mesa Española,” meets at the Ale House Wednesdays from 8-9:30 p.m.
Spanish professor Ted McVay said he thinks the table helps supplement what students learn in class.
“Spanish is a skill,” McVay said. “It’s one of those things you learn by practice. Even if you learn some wrong things, it’s still practice.”
McVay believes the best way to learn a language is to use it for real conversation.
German students meet for their version of a conversation table, “Stammtisch,” at 7:30 p.m. every other Thursday at the Ale House.
German professor Iulia Pittman said the German Club started the table in 2006, and the table hosts 15 to 20 people at each meeting.
“These meetings definitely benefit students,” Pittman said. “They have a chance to practice their German skills in a more relaxed environment, and they meet other students and native German speakers.”
Italian has a table as well, held several Monday nights each month at various coffee shops.
“The club gives a chance to students, faculty and staff to practice some Italian, as well as to discuss and experience cultural events,” said Giovanna Summerfield, undergraduate adviser of Italian. “It really boosts the morale of those who are eager to learn everything Italian.”
Summerfield began the table about five years ago as a casual gathering for students in Haley Center with Italian biscotti and a few native speakers.
When she discovered the amount of student interest in the gatherings, she joined forces with the Italian Club president to officially start the conversation table.
The newest language in the department of foreign languages, Chinese, is jumping on board as well. The first Chinese conversation table will be tomorrow in the Student Center behind Starbucks from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Chinese professor Carolyn Fitzgerald said she was concerned students would not want to attend a table because they have not been studying the language long, but she is excited students have shown an interest in the table.
Members of the Chinese Student Organization, a group of native Chinese students, met Sept. 13 at Kirin Restaurant to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the most important Chinese Holidays.
Members of the group will attend the Chinese table to help students practice their conversation skills.
