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Welcome to the Mission College
Foreign Language Center!
Below are some of the frequently asked questions about the Foreign Language
Center (FLC). You may also follow the links on the left to find useful and interesting
resources for language study.
What is the lab that I have enrolled in?
Although you can take the lab without being enrolled in a foreign language class, it serves to complement a language class and gives you an opportunity to explore and play with the language you are learning. That is why you are strongly encouraged to attend the lab on a regular basis, throughout the semester. There are many things that you can do to enhance your learning experience in the Foreign Language Center (FLC). The Center is equipped with DVD players, VHS players, PC Computers and printer. New DVDs,videos, books, audio CDs, and computer software are constantly being added to our collection. Each lab class can be repeated once for credit and may be taken for either a letter grade or credit/no credit. Ask your instructor about the deadline for declaring credit/no credit.
Where is the Foreign Language Center?
We are on the second floor in the main building, located in room
S2-501. The open lab hours for the semester are posted on the door;
they are subject to staff availability and may be subject to change. You may also click here for Open Hours for the Foreign Language Center for the current semester. Please don't forget to take a look at the door from time to time, as additional notices are often posted to inform you of any changes in
open hours.
How do I get started?
Once enrolled in a foreign language lab class (1L or 2L), the first thing you need to do is to come in and clock in on the computer time-clock. Most students will attend an orientation session in the FLC with their 5-unit language class during the first week of classes. Open Lab begins the second week of classes.
Why is it done this way?
The state requires detailed record-keeping for labs-by-arrangement.
For this reason, you will be asked to sign in and out each time you
use the lab and have your time verified by the Lab Supervisor on
duty.
How do I keep track of my time?
The first time you come in for Open Lab, check the list on your language's page on the bulletin board behind the computer, or ask the FLC Supervisor, to see if you have already been assigned a Clock-In Access Code. If your name is not on the list, we will show you how to enter your information onto the computer time-clock's database. To do this, you will need your Student ID number which is assigned by Mission College. You will then be given a Clock-In Access Code that will allow the computer to keep track of your hours. To clock in on the computer, YOU NEED TO USE YOUR ACCESS CODE, NOT YOUR STUDENT ID NUMBER.
How do I use the Time-Clock computer?
FIRST: Check to see if your name is already listed on the appropriate language page on the bulletin board.
If your name IS there:
- Click on “Clock-in.”
- Enter the access code.
- Use the mouse to click on “Go.”
- If the name is correct, click on “Yes.” The screen will show that you are clocked in.
- Click on the “Main Menu” button at the top left to return the screen to the main page for the next student.
If your name IS NOT there:
- Click on “Add myself to System.”
- Fill in first name, last name, student ID # (where it says “school ID #”), and email address (optional).
- Choose from the list of courses at the bottom of the screen. Be sure to locate the correct instructor and class time. You may need to scroll down to find your class section. Click on “Select.”
- Click on the “ADD ME” button.
- The screen will tell you that you have been added and will show your assigned Access Code on the third line in blue lettering at the top of the screen. (You should write down this number for future reference until it is added to the list on the bulletin board.)
- Click on the “Main Menu” button at the top left to return the screen to the main page to clock in (using the instructions above)..
When you are ready to leave, use “Clock Out” the same way you did to “Clock In.”
How do I know how many hours I have?
When you clock out, after you click on “YES,” the computer will show your time for this session, as well as the total number of minutes you yourself have clocked in and out for the semester. However, in order to find the total of ALL hours for the lab class, including times that have been added for orientations, film reports, outside activities, or times when the compputer may have been off, you need to click on "Display My Information" and type in your 7-digit student ID number. This full total is the total that is used to calculate your grade.
Who is in the Foreign Language Center to help me?
Jackie Capurro is the Instructional Assistant who supervises the FLC during many of its open hours. Jackie's desk is at the main entry to the FLC. Each of the full-time instructors also supervises the FLC for specified hours during the week. If you come in during Open Lab Hours and Jackie is not present in the FLC, look for an instructor to help you. He or she will usually be seated at the Instructor's Computer at the front of the room. You are welcome to study in the FLC during any open hours; you do not need to wait until your instructor is present.
What exactly do I do in the FL Center?
In addition to watching culturally relevant DVDs and videos, you may spend
your time doing anything related to the language you are learning.
This includes: completing homework assignments or those in your lab
activity manual/workbook for your Foreign Language class; using the computer to read a FL newspaper
on the internet; practicing your language with grammar and vocabulary software on the computers; participating in your target language in a Chat
Room; reading a book from our resource shelves; or working one-on-one or in small groups with your instructor/FLC supervisor/tutor in the FLC. Please remember that no materials may be removed from the FLC.
What is NOT ALLOWED in the Foreign Language Center?
In order for you to receive credit for your time, your hours in the Foreign Language Center MUST be spent working on some aspect of the language you are studying. This is not the place to work on math or biology or to check your email! You need to make sure that what you are working on is relevant to your
target language. The FLC Supervisors will come by occasionally to check on what you are doing. He or she may also check the materials you are using and will observe what you are doing on the computer. Time will be removed from your computer record for any non-language-related activities observed by a lab supervisor. You may also use the FLC's printer to print your response papers or reasonable copies of other language-related pages. The Supervisor has the right ask to see what you have printed; if it is not related to your foreign language study, the pages will be confiscated and time will be deducted from your computer record.
What do I have to do to pass the class?
You must complete at least 24 hours of contact with the language you are learning and write personal response papers to a foreign language film (see below). In your own interest, please DO NOT leave all your work to do till the end of the semester. You should be completing an average of approximately 2 hours a week. And please note that, unless you receive permission from the lab instructor, hours must be
completed in the FLC (with the exception of documented outside activities as described below).
How exactly do I do the personal response paper for watching a film?
The personal response paper is a typed and double-spaced
one-page essay, in which you express your
opinion/reflections/reactions to a DVD/video/film that is seen in the
target language (subtitles in English are acceptable.)
Here are some examples of how you could address the personal response
paper:
- What did you like/dislike about the film? And why?
- How did it make you feel and why?
- Were you able to understand any of the film without the
subtitles?
- Did you learn anything new about the target culture or anything
relevant to your class?
- Be forewarned that many foreign films differ from American films regarding violence or sexual content. You may also wish to comment on this topic.
(1 page=250 words)
Can I write the personal response paper in English?
Yes, if you are a 1L student; if you are in 2L, you should attempt to
write it in the target language.
Can I rent a movie and watch it at home?
Yes, you may rent a movie (e.g. from Blockbuster or NetFlix, etc.) or you may see a movie at the theater, but you may not take home any of the materials from the FLC. If you watch a film outside of the FLC and then write your personal response paper, be sure to write the length of the film at the top of the paper and show it to Jackie Capurro, FLC Supervisor, to earn credit for your movie time. Jackie will add credit for the length of the film you watched to your computer time-clock record. If you watch the film in the FLC, you may give your personal response paper directly to your lab instructor.
How many movies can I see?
You must see at least 1 film, and may use up to 3 films towards your 24 hour requirement. (The number of films and response papers helps to determine your grade, see below.) You can also discuss extra credit options with your instructor. Remember you must complete a total of 24 approved hours of language work before finals begin.
May I do something outside of the FL Center and get credit for it?
Yes, in addition to watching a film at home or at a movie theatre, you may also attend appropriate cultural events as part of your FL Lab Class requirements, with prior approval from your FL Lab Class instructor. (Remember to save your ticket stubs!) Details will be determined by each individual Lab Instructor. Just as with the film, you will be expected to write a personal response paper (see next paragraph). Again, be sure to show your personal response paper to Jackie before submitting it to your instructor in order to have your hours credited for the time spent on an activity outside of the FLC. The instructor will determine how much time to credit; it is usually from one to two hours per activity.
How do I write a response paper for a cultural event or activity outside of the FL Center?
This paper is a typed and double-spaced one-page essay, similar to your personal response paper for watching a film, in which you express your opinion/reflections/reactions to the cultural event/activity in which you attended or participated in.
Here are some points you should plan to address in this paper:
- What (name or title) is the event/activity/movie you attended/watched?
- When did you experience this activity (date and time period)?
- Describe the event/activity (That is, summarize what it was about. For a movie, summarize the main plot).
- What do you consider the highlight(s) of this event/activity? (That is, what did you especially like and why?) Be specific – avoid just saying because it was good or it was interesting.
- State anything about the event/activity/movie that you thought needs to be improved?
- Did you learn anything new about the culture/language or anything relevant to your language class? This is the most important info you can include in your response paper.
- What do you think others in your class might learn from this event/activity/movie?
(1 page=250 words)
Where can I find my instructor?
All of the full-time instructors for Spanish, French, Japanese, and Vietnamese
are available for help in the FLC at some time during the week. Since their in-lab hours change every semester, please check the bulletin board in the FLC, ask your instructor, or click here for the Foreign Language Instructors' Hours in the FLC for the current semester.
Here are the phone numbers and office locations for the full-time Foreign Language Instructors.
- Karyn Armstrong (Spanish) 408-855-5389 Office: E2-701
- Anna Brichko (French) 408-855-5222 Office: E2-701
- Steven Hirose (Japanese) 408-855-5279 Office: N1-201 (exterior entrance)
- Thanh Nguyen (Vietnamese) 408-855-5187 Office: W3-601
- Mónica Rivas (Spanish) 408-855-5282 Office: E2-403
Jackie Capurro, the Foreign Language Center Supervisor and
Instructional Assistant, is also available to help you in the FLC during most Open Lab Hours. Her phone number in the FLC is 408-855-5281.
How am I graded?
Since the purpose of your lab class is to reinforce what you are learning in your 5-unit language class, students are expected to begin studying in the FLC at the beginning of the semester and to have regular attendance throughout the semester. Please pay close attention to the following deadlines that must be met by the end of Week 5 and Week 10 in order to receive a grade of "A" or a grade of "B." If these deadlines are not met, the best grade you will qualify to receive will be a "C."
A= 24 hours contact with target language.
Three well-written personal response papers.
Evidence of effort and all work completed.
Must have completed at least 5 hours and 1 paper by the end of Week 5.
AND
Must have completed at least 10 hours and 2 papers by the end of Week 10.
B= 24 hours contact with target language.
Two acceptable personal response papers.
Evidence of effort and most work completed.
Must have completed at least 10 hours and 2 papers by the end of Week 10.
C= 24 hours contact with target language by the end of the semester.
One personal response paper.
Evidence of minimal work completed
(NOTE: IF YOU ARE TAKING THE CLASS ON A CREDIT/NO CREDIT BASIS, "C"
IS THE MINIMUM REQUIRED FOR CREDIT)
D= Fewer than 24 hours contact with target language by the end of the semester
One or more personal response papers.
Evidence of unacceptable effort and/or work.
F= Fewer than 24 hours contact with target language.
No evidence of effort or work.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: No lab work or hours will be accepted past the posted deadline, and the lab is CLOSED DURING FINALS WEEK. Be sure to start early in the semester and pace yourself! Click here for the Last Day to Complete Lab Hours and Assignments for the current semester.
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