Students on an excursion to Melbournes Chinatown. Image courtesy of the Monash Photography Club

Victorian students are taking advantage of a unique opportunity to improve their foreign language skills through regular meetings with migrant seniors whose first language is Chinese, German or Spanish.

Now in its third year, the Connecting younger second language learners and older bilinguals program is led by Dr Marisa Cordella from Monash University’s School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics. Working withDr Hui Huang from the Faculty of Arts,Professor Colette Browning from Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Dr Cordella’s project connects Year 11 and 12 students with ‘language and cultural gurus’.

For more information about this programme, please see the full article and the project Website.

Working languages for the 2012 Winter School are: ITALIAN, JAPANESE & CHINESE (MANDARIN).

Invited authors and translators

Italian stream: Laila Wadia & Brigid Maher

Japanese stream: Zhong Zhang & Elise Foxworth

Chinese (Mandarin) stream: Shu Cai & Ouyang Yu

Programme details

Date: 3–7 July, 2012

Venue: LaTrobe University Campus, 215 Franklin St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 (map and directions to Latrobe University).

Registration fee: (including participation in daily workshops and all public events, all materials, morning tea and lunch on workshop days, plus welcome reception): Waged: AUD$400 (incl. GST); Student/Unwaged: AUD$290 (incl. GST). There will also be a closing luncheon on the final day (cost tba).

Expressions of Interest (cover letter, CV and sample translation) are due Friday 25 May 2012. For information on how to submit an Expression of Interest, or to view the provisional program and information about accommodation, please visit http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/translation-interpreting/transnation.php. Also, see our event flyer.

The new CEFR Website homepage

The School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics at Monash has recently adopted the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) to align more closely with current industry and teaching standards.

To find out more about the CEFR at Monash, explore the CEFR in Australia, an international language framework Website. The site, which was launched this week, gives helpful background information about the CEFR itself and what the new competency levels will entail for students and educators.

The CEFR was developed through a process of scientific research and wide consultation, and provides a practical tool for setting clear standards that can be obtained at successive stages of learning. It also provides a framework for evaluating outcomes in an internationally comparable way.

Adoption of the CEFR will ensure that Monash graduates enjoy an education that is both universally relevant and universally transferrable. 

A member of the Monash family for 6 years, Professor Sharifian is the Director of The Language and Society Centre, Faculty of Arts at Monash. He established the ‘English as an International Language’ Program, a program which teaches intercultural and international communication, and is the first of its kind in the world. Professor Sharifian has published numerous articles, and in his recent book,Cultural Conceptualisations and Language: Theoretical Framework and Applications (2011, John Benjamins) outlined a theoretical model to underpin the relationship between language, culture, and conceptualisation. This model has already been adopted by many projects around the world.

“In a sense I have been researching my own life experiences as a migrant to Australia.” Professor Sharifian’s interest in intercultural communication arose from experiencing first-hand how enriching this experience is, as well as how differences in cultural norms and expectations can lead to miscommunication. “Intercultural communication is increasingly the experience of many people around the globe, as more and more people from various cultural and national backgrounds come together to live and work as ’international citizens’.”

The study of intercultural communication – exploring the relationship between language and culture – has far-reaching benefits. Differing expectations when it comes to communication are not as obvious as the differences in outward appearance between groups from different backgrounds. This means they are more subject to misinterpretation and misunderstanding.

Professor Sharifian believes studies in intercultural communication can also contribute significantly in the international political arena. “There are so many misunderstandings in international political discourse, often due to misinterpretations arising from speeches which have been poorly translated into English. Here research findings in intercultural communication could significantly contribute not just at the level of improving human life and daily interactions, but for international peace-building efforts and global understandings. I feel strongly that much more work needs to be done in this area.”

“I am continually struck by how the microcosm that is Monash University reflects the multicultural nature of the Australian community at large. This is why I believe Monash University is uniquely placed to be at the forefront of intercultural communication research.”

His burning desire to see the study of intercultural communication grow ever stronger at Monash has been the impetus for Farzad to set up the Farzad Sharifian Scholarship in the Field of Intercultural Communication, specifically for international PhD students studying at Monash. Across the board, there are scarce scholarships for international students. Quite a few of these students come from countries whose governments cannot afford to support them in their studies.

While spearheading his mentor’s Michael Clyne’s Scholarship Fund, Professor Farzad happened to chat to a staff member from Monash’s Advancement Unit about being inspired by Michael’s generosity of spirit towards students and future research.

“There may be other people, including staff members, out there who would like to donate something to future generations, but don’t know where to start. It’s easy to associate philanthropy with ‘being rich’ – which of course cuts academics out – but actually all of us can make the University a beneficiary of our Will.”

“From the final contract signing one sentence was so precious to me and has stuck with me – “This is our promise to you, that we will fulfil your wish.” I was convinced then that I had made the best decision. I look at my contribution as continuance of my life’s work that will see Monash’s international reputation for groundbreaking research continue for years to come.”

Dean of Arts, Professor Rae Frances, is thrilled with Professor Sharifian’s gift. “Staff have such an innate appreciation of what a gift like this can do in a university; towards education and excellence. We are indeed lucky to have such inspiring, generous people here at Monash.”

To learn more about making a personal gift and to discuss your opportunity to make a difference to the lives of Monash students in this way, contact Preema Wong from the Donor Relations team on 03 9903 4609 or email preema.wong@monash.edu. There are a number of ways to make a donation to the University and Preema would be pleased to discuss these with you.

To discover more about the fascinating field of intercultural communication, be sure to check out:

• Professor Sharifian public lecture on Intercultural Communication in the New Era (2010)
• Professor Sharifian’s Inaugural Professorial Lecture
• 23 – 25 November 2011 – for the first time held in Australia, the International Association for World Englishes Annual Conference
• Professor Sharifian’s staff profile.

Our confirmed guest speaker is the eminent professor of Classics and Comparative literature David Konstan (New York State University, retired from Brown University). The conference will also host a Workshop run by the Ancient History Teachers’ Association and the launch of a new Classics journal for postgraduate students.

December 2011

Between September 2011 and December 2011 the research group presented papers at the following conferences:

- ALAA-ALANZ Canberra Langfest 2011  (27 November – 9 December)

- 7th Symposium on Discourse Analysis, which was held at Monash University in Clayton on 18 November 2011

- LCNAU Colloquium, which was held in Melbourne, from September 26 to September 28 2011. Powerpoint presentation (pdf).