Peer Language Advising

Students in a study area in Johnson Hall.

Ask questions, get support, and practice your language skills!

Language Advisers are Occidental students with extensive experience with language, while Visiting Language Assistants are exchange students who lead conversation class and also offer drop-in tutoring hours.

Language Advisers and Visiting Language Assistants can help you:

  • Practice verbal language skills;
  • Practice pronunciation;
  • Discuss readings for better comprehension;
  • Discuss cultural, social or political issues relevant to the language of study;
  • Find and view current language materials in social media and other sources;
  • Work on particular needs by reviewing quizzes and exams;
  • Prepare for cultural events, karaoke performances, and open mics.

Drop-in Hours for Spring 2024 starting on Sunday, February 4.

Hours and Locations for Drop-in Hours (Oxy log-in required).

Julia Carrigan

 

Julia Carrigan

I'm a junior MAC and Math major with a CSLC minor studying Arabic. One of the most important reasons I wanted to come to Oxy was that my alumni interviewer told me he became fluent in Arabic while studying here. I love the beauty and simple grace of this language; I’m especially excited about the forms and grammatical elegance built into the very structure of Arabic communication. I am learning Arabic primarily to be able to understand the Holy Qur’an and to be able to better understand my religion, Islam, to which I converted about 3 years ago. I also am doing Arabic on Duolingo (60 day streak!!). Our sessions will be informal and fun with an emphasis on merging what you need to know for class and how you want to use the language in your own life. I’m very excited to meet and support you inshaAllah!

Drop-in Hours:

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall Sunday 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Monday, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Wednesday, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Ethan Kerman
Ethan Kerman

Hello everyone! My name is Ethan Kerman and I am the peer advisor for Chinese. I am a sophomore from Portland, Oregon, and I am a double major in Urban and Environmental Policy and Chinese Studies. I started learning Mandarin at a Chinese immersion school when I was four years old, and I've been studying Chinese ever since! I think that Chinese is an extremely important language to know, especially today and in the future. Additionally, learning Chinese can help you communicate with a billion more people, which is pretty cool! Please come and see me for anything you need help with in Chinese; I'm available to help you review vocabulary, grammar, or any other concept you're studying in class. I hope to see you soon!

Drop-in Hours:

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall   Sunday 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Monday & Wednesday 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Léa Marié: Visiting Language Assistant

 

Léa Marié

I am Léa Marié, the French visiting language assistant! I am from Saint-Herblain (next to Nantes) which is located in the northwest part of France. I study law and economics in France. I am really interested in politics which is why I am a town councilor in Saint Herblain. I can't wait to meet you and share my culture and my language! I will do my best to create a comfortable zone in which every one can flourish while improving their French! I am looking forward to seeing you in my conversation class and during the tutoring! À bientôt ;)

Drop-in Hours:

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall Sunday, 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m; Monday & Wednesday, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Charlie Steininger: Visiting Language Assistant

 

Charlie Steininger

Hi! I’m Charlie Steininger and I am the German Visiting Language Assistant for the next two semesters. While you can trace my family history back a few centuries and we would still be from the same little spots in Germany, I myself have a bit of an international upbringing, having attended an American-German school for 12 years in Berlin. Since then, I have been studying Art and English with a teaching option in the same city, but thought it might be time to branch out.

I am so excited to help anyone at Oxy trying to learn the intricacies of the German language with homework, exam prep, and simply practicing speaking the language out loud in conversation. Most of all I’d love to answer any questions you might have about my country and its culture, of which I think there is much to say. 

If you have any questions outside of hours just email me at steininger@oxy.edu. I’m looking forward to meeting you!

Drop-in Hours:

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall  Sunday, 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m; Monday & Wednesday, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Shea Hogan

 

Shea Hogan
Hi! I’m Shea, and I’m currently a senior double majoring in English and Comparative Studies in Literature and Culture. I’ve been studying Ancient Greek since my freshman year, and I am very excited to be your peer tutor! If you have any questions about quizzes, assignments, or exams, or just want help reviewing older content, I encourage you to swing by my hours. If you need any questions answered outside of my hours, you can email me at shogan@oxy.edu.
Drop-in Hours:

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall  Sunday, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 7:30 pm to 9:00 p.m.

Joshua Biggs

 

Joshua Biggs

Hi! My name is Joshua Biggs and I am a junior and a Biology major. Japanese was my first language as I lived and attended school in Japan until I was 9 years old. When I moved to America I attended a Japanese weekend school called Minato Gakuen where we followed the same curriculum that students in Japan do, including math, science and history. I'm here to help with homework, grammar, studying for an exam, or if you just want to practice your Japanese conversation skills with me. I hope to see you soon!! 

Drop-in Hours

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall   Sunday, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Monday, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sofia Lauro

 

Sofia Lauro

Hi! I’m Sofia and I’ll be your Latin Peer Advisor this semester. I am a junior CSLC major and German minor who’s been studying Latin since 8th grade. I’m in my fifth semester of Latin at Oxy, and I just returned from an immersive spoken Latin program in Rome. I also study Ancient Greek, Italian, and German. I love Latin but know firsthand how tedious memorization can be, so I’d love to help make your process learning grammar, vocabulary, or translation easier and more enriching!

Drop-in Hours

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall   Sunday, 4:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. & Thursday, 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Garrett Howard

 

Garrett Howard

Всем привет! My name is Garrett and I’ll be your Russian language peer advisor. I major in Comparative Studies in Literature and Culture (CSLC) with a minor in Linguistics. I love learning about language and literature, and have also studied Latin and speak intermediate Serbo-Croatian. 

I’m super excited to work with everyone this year! I will be putting together some language materials for you to access, as well as some other cultural activities for us to do together. Please stop by for anything you’d like to work on, from pronunciation to grammar or anything from class that you’d like to go over. I’m particularly interested in the social aspect of language, so I’d love to explore these topics with you in relation to Russian. Feel free to stop by for anything whatsoever, or email me at ghoward@oxy.edu. I look forward to meeting you! 

Drop-in Hours

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall Sunday, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Sofía Fernández Pérez: Visiting Language Assistant
Sofia Fernández Pérez

¡Hola! My name is Sofía and I recently graduated from the University of Salamanca, Spain, with a Bachelor's degree in English Literature and a Master's degree in Teaching. I'm looking forward to meeting you all in my conversation classes and tutoring hours. Spanish is a great language and there are so many things I can teach you about my culture. Please come by if you need help with something or you just want to practice your Spanish. See you soon :)

Drop-in Hours

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall   Sunday, 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m; Tuesday 8:10 p.m. to 9:10 p.m.; Wednesday, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

Spanish

Marta Pérez Piera: Visiting Language Assistant

Marta Pérez Piera

Hello everyone! My name is Marta Pérez Piera and I am from Valencia. I have a degree in Translation and Interpreting from the University Jaume I (Castelló de la Plana, Spain) and a master’s degree in Language Teaching from the University of Granada (Spain). I am looking forward to bringing Spanish culture closer to those of you who wish to participate in my conversation classes. It will be a fun, practical, and enriching experience for all of us and I hope to increase your interest in studying Spanish. I can’t wait to meet you!

Drop-in Hours

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall   Sunday, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Monday, 5:00 to 6:00p.m.; Tuesday, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Questions about the program? Email Luz Forero at lforero@oxy.edu.

Contact Language Study & Placement
Luz Forero
Language Education Specialist
lforero@oxy.edu
Office: Johnson Hall 114A

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