Brigham Young University. Foreign Language Houses

The Foreign Language Houses were established in 1978 as an initiative to help students better learn foreign languages through immersion. The first two houses were for Russian and Italian; over the years, language offerings have included French, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Hebrew, Scandinavian languages, German, Arabic, Navajo, and Chinese. In 1991, the program was moved from individual houses to a residential complex, and the name was changed to Foreign Language Student Residence to reflect the new arrangement. Coordinators of the Foreign Language Houses included Keith L. Roos (1983-1986) and Hans W. Kelling (1986-1991).

Description

Established: 1978

Abolished: 1991

Location: Provo, Utah (1978-1991)

Functions

The Foreign Language Houses provided immersive experiences for language learners. Students were required to speak only the target language while in the apartments.

Assets and Administrative Structure

The Foreign Language Houses were overseen by a coordinator reporting to the Dean of the College of Humanities.

Associated Units

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. College of Humanities (1978-1991)

Later unit: Brigham Young University. Foreign Language Student Residence (1991)

Sources

Brigham Young University On-Campus Living WWW Site, 23 March 2010: Foreign Language Student Residence Online Brochure (program established in 1978 to improve students’ linguistic capabilities through immersion; began with Russian and Italian; expanded to current premises in 1991)

Brigham Young University General Catalog 1980-81: p. 183 (Casa Italiana first mentioned in Catalog); p. 187 (Spanish House mentioned)

Brigham Young University General Catalog 1981-82: p. 198 (Maison Française first mentioned)

Brigham Young University General Catalog 1982-83: p. 238 (Navajo House first mentioned and never again—short-lived experience?)

Brigham Young University General Catalog 1983-84: p. 204 (Foreign Language Houses; coordinator Keith L. Roos; French, Russian, Italian, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Chinese houses)

Brigham Young University General Catalog 1984-85: p. 176 (French, Russian, Italian, German, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, and new this year, Arabic and Korean)

Brigham Young University General Catalog 1986-1987: p. 188 (Hans W. Kelling begins as coordinator)

Brigham Young University 1988-1989 General Catalogue: p. 191 (Portuguese House introduced)

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2010-00028

Creator: UPB