Wilson Language Grant Applications

Calling all 10th and 11th grade language students:

"MBA is proud to announce new language study awards to approximately fifteen to twenty 10th and 11th grade students for this coming summer. Those students who excel in Chinese, French, German, Latin, or Spanish will be eligible after two years of study to apply for a special grant to study for four to six weeks in a foreign country. Our hope is that these opportunities will strengthen student interest and expertise in these languages, develop MBA’s language program overall, and provide greater opportunities for our community both during their time at MBA and for their applications to college."

View the whole announcement on MBA's homepage. Very exciting!

German Students attend Berlin Wall Events @ Vandy

On Thursday, November 5th, 22 German students joined Herr Sawyer at Vanderbilt for the 20th anniversary celebration of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. Invited by the Max Kade Center for European and German Studies to bring an MBA delegation to the event, Herr Sawyer organized the fieldtrip for his students. The evening began with a panel discussion on "Germany and Europe Twenty Years after the Fall of the Wall and its Aftermath." Panelists included John Kornblum, former U.S. Ambassador to Germany, Victor Ashe, former U.S. Ambassador to Poland, and Lue Veron, Minister Counselor and Head of Political and Development Section of the Delegation of the European Commission in Washington, D.C.

Following the discussion, students were treated to a pizza dinner with other middle Tennessee high school students in the Law School Cafe. The evening concluded with a screening of the documentary "Ode to Joy and Freedom." The film details the construction of the Berlin Wall, its history, and its fall in 1989.

The evening was organized by Professor emeritus of Political Science at Vanderbilt Donald Hancock.

Odysseus and Veterans Day

Looks like the NYT has an interesting piece about Odysseus for Veterans Day, asking this central question: "Who is the veteran, and how does he stand in relation to his native land and people?"

BBC Languages link

Looks like this has some helpful materials for modern language teachers:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/.

I especially like the videos of embarrassing moments in foreign languages:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/yoursay/dont_try/.

Long Live the Subjunctive!

From the New York times comes this fervent plea on behalf of everyone's favorite verb mood!

Merkel and business-friendly FDP eager to get into quick coalition talks | Election | Deutsche Welle | 28.09.2009

Following Sunday's elections in Germany, re-elected Chancellor Angela Merkel eyes a new coalition between her CDU/CSU party and the economically liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP).


Merkel and business-friendly FDP eager to get into quick coalition talks Election Deutsche Welle 28.09.2009

German Reunification | Deutsche Welle

As Germany and the world celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, Deutsche Welle WORLD presents an interesting special on the history of reunification. Please visit the site below to read all about this historic, monumental change in world politics and relations.


German Reunification Deutsche Welle