Learn about the Language of Love

French Club Returns to LLP
By Amauri Barnes

Dr. Roxane Pajoul

     Did you know French is the fourth most widely language in the United States? About 45% of modern English words are of French origin. I decided it was time to highlight the French Club! Dr. Roxane Pajoul was originally born in East France. Her family moved to Paris officially when she turned two years old.

Pajoul was introduced to the United States as an exchange student and has been here for 15 years. “My approach to teaching French at an HBCU is doing things that are interesting to the students. I do not only teach about France or Paris but about the world.”

French Club 2023

Her teachings include not only the language of French, but also of the culture of different countries that speak French such as North, West, and Central Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, as well as the Caribbean where her father is from.

The French Club meets once a month in Humanities and the next meeting will be on October 26^th.  Along with the language they also discuss slavery, colonization, and all the post effects of colonization and slavery. The French club is unique because it is based on things that excite the students such as food and games.

Speaking of food, Pajoul brings cuisine from the only authentic French restaurant in Nashville
that is located on the east side of the city. Once Upon a Time in France is a very popular restaurant whose menu consists of different pastas, desserts, and fine wines. She brings French food either prepared by herself or from this restaurant to every French Club meeting so that the students get a taste of the culture.

Pajoul suggests students read French authors, especially if they are interested in learning more about the culture. She enthusiastically endorsed Maryse Conde’ a French novelist, critic, and playwright from the French Overseas department and region of Guadeloupe.

The French club is open to all students who speak or are interested in learning more about the language and culture! In coming days, look for flyers posted around the Humanities Building highlighting the next meeting dates.

Viajar es enamorarse a cada paso!

LLP Spanish Program Brings Back Study Abroad.
By Amauri Barnes

Dr. Francesco Masala with his study abroad
students in Madrid

     This week I was delighted to interview TSU tiger Azia Banks and Spanish Professor Dr. Francesco Masala. Over the summer Masala, of TSU since Spring 2021, pioneered a new study abroad program in Madrid, Spain.
      Masala partnered with a school in Madrid that allowed tigers to go to school internationally for two weeks during Maymester and live a normal everyday life like their classmates. Banks is still excited by her study abroad experience. “Surprisingly, when we finally arrived in Spain at 4am we were not tired! We had sort of an adrenaline rush, so we stayed up until about noon excited to see the city” said Banks.
     While in Madrid students were able to go out to explore and learn. Banks' favorite part of the trip was being fully immersed in the culture and freedom to learn outside of the school and house. While in Madrid they stayed with a host family.
     According to Masala, this was a significant learning experience because students were required to do everything using Spanish from ordering food, shopping, and holding conversations. Each student who went on the trip were minors in Spanish and Masala describes this experience as a great way to get students out of their comfort zone. By the end of the second week they were more confident not only in speaking the language but also as a person.
     Banks said some advice she would give any student interested in this experience is “Just do it! However, you must have some experience with speaking and understanding Spanish. It doesn’t have to be perfect but simply make sure you are able to say things in a way that natives of the country are able to understand.  "It’s a new experience and will prepare you for the next one!”
     Masala hopes to make this an ongoing, annual program. He hopes to take bigger groups to different countries to have a hands-on learning experience! 

   

Soul Fire Returns Next Week

"Don't call it a comeback, they've been here for years..."

By Amauri Barnes

First Meeting of Year: Sept 13

      Soul Fire Poetry group will have its first meeting of the semester next week and my interview with the groups found, Dr. Michelle J. Pinkard revealed a lot about the group's history and plans for the future. 

    Soul Fire has been at Tennessee State for nearly 10 years now! Pinkard explained. “Soul Fire is a poetry workshop and community where attendees get tips on how to write, read, and perform poetry while trying to learn what it means to live a poetry inspired life!” 

    The workshop was inspired by Pinkard's own interest and scholarship. In 2014, she partnered with Southern Word, a nonprofit that supports literacy through the vehicle of poetry. “With every Soul Fire Workshop,  we get to meet with a professional spoken word poet from Southern Word while I offer tips for poetry on the page” explained Pinkard.

    Personally, I love to be involved in things that are not only fun and a hobby, but also where I can take away something.  Pinkard agrees,  “Essentially learning about poetry, learning how to write poetry, and learning how to perform poetry helps attendees become better writers, thinkers, and contributors to this thing called humanity." 

     Lastly and most importantly, I asked Pinkard how does this prepare attendees for life after college. She said, “Mastering language helps students master their reality.  Becoming better communicators will only solidify their chance of becoming productive members of society."

     I always love to hear when workshops are successful and active after multiple years! In the Spring it will be a WHOLE DECADE! Should we be on the lookout for a special celebration? Stay up to date with this blog to find out.

Throwback video from Soul Fire's Inaugural year 2014

LLP Social Media Intern
Amauri Barnes

Introducing the New Social Media Intern
- Fall 2023
By Amauri Barnes

     My name is Amauri Barnes. I am a senior here at Tennessee State University. My major is biology with a minor in English. I am from Detroit, Michigan where I graduated from Cass Technical High School.

     With my degree I will become a Cardiovascular Perfusionist. A perfusionist (for short) operates the heart and lung machine that artificially replaces a patient’s heart and lung functions during surgery. This summer I worked three jobs. I worked in Corewell Health Hospital formerly known as Beaumont in Child Labor and Delivery, Arden Courts Memory Care as an Activities Coordinator, and as a Legal Assistant at Flood Law. Each week I maxed out at, at least 120 hours between all three jobs. What interested me in the medical field was being able to help others and be apart making a difference in surgery!

     Writing papers and reading comprehension has always come easy to me. I chose to minor in English because it supports me in every work field I could dream of pursuing. Someday I would love to teach either children or young adults in college.

     My favorite aspect of English is history and poetry. Working at Flood Law this summer was the best experience ever! I was required to do a lot of reading and critical thinking. I was surrounded by some amazing, hardworking, and most of all genuine people. This began my interest in possibly working in a courthouse as a clerk or even an investigator. The biggest take away from working for and observing attorney Todd Flood was “What you work for can be achieved, ifyou do the work required to achieve it!”

      In my free time I love reading, playing with my dog, cook, do hair, research real estate and other ventures of income, and most recently, reading court cases!  I am looking forward to bringing all of that experience to this new position and sharing everything the department has to offer to students both in and out of the classroom.