Students in advanced modern language courses are immersed not only in proficiency of the language and conversation, but also in the art, literature, politics, history and music of the culture. Faculty member Laurence Huughe designed French 5: The Francophone World, a new half course offered this past semester, to expose students to the rich history and culture of Haiti.
Ms. Huughe says one goal was to have students interact with members of Boston’s Haitian community by having guest speakers in class and by visiting local Haitian businesses and cultural organizations. Rebecca Karlson (II) says her favorite visit was to the Gilbert Albert Community Center in Dorchester, which offers literacy and ESL courses for Haitian immigrants.
“It was really interesting to see how new members of the Haitian community adjust to being in America and what they need to create successful lives,” says Rebecca, whose interest in Haiti goes back to freshman year, when she traveled there with her family and a church group.
Other off-campus trips included visits to a Haitian bakery and to the Caribbean Arts Gallery owned by Jean Sénat Fleury, who spoke to them in French about the contemporary and modern Caribbean art hanging on the walls. During the course, students each interviewed a Haitian American and wrote biographies of those individuals.
Ms. Huughe enjoyed introducing students to this new content and coursework, and she is happy that the course will be offered again next fall. Course planning for the 2017-2018 school year has recently begun. To see all of Milton’s course offerings, visit the course catalogue online.