VCU hosts Governor’s Foreign Language Academies

By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University is hosting the 21st annual Governor’s Foreign Language Academies for rising Virginia high school juniors and seniors.

Nearly 300 student participants are spending three weeks on the Monroe Park Campus.

The academies feature a concentrated learning experience in French, German, Spanish, Latin, Japanese or Russian. Students learn about the language, history, culture and customs of another country. Those participating in the French, German or Spanish academies also sign an oath promising to speak entirely in those languages for the duration of the academy.

“This experience widens their horizons and gives them a modest glimpse of what it must be like to live in another country,” said coordinator Paul Dvorak, Ph.D., professor of German in the School of World Studies.

Though the academies are united in a “global village” setting, each academy has a unique daily schedule. Students attend classes in the morning. Afternoon activities include art, dance, music, crafts, sports, creative projects and food preparation. In the evenings, students go to movies and dances.

Students represented their “countries” in an Olympics-style competition on July 2. They  also set up an international market in the VCU Student Commons, selling items reflective of the culture they are studying.

“Our first international market was last year. And it was quite an experience. The students aren’t allowed to speak English. So we’d have a French-speaking student trying to conduct a business transaction with a student who speaks German. There was a lot of pointing and sign language. They really got a feel for what it’s like to try to communicate in a country where you don’t speak the language,” Dvorak said.

The Governor’s Foreign Language Academies were held on several college campuses before moving to a combined setting at VCU four years ago. 

Interested students apply through their school with a recommendation from a teacher and the principal. They must also submit an essay. Participants are chosen by a state selection committee coordinated through the Virginia Department of Education.

Dvorak said one out of every three or four students who applies is selected. This year, 286 foreign language students are participating in the program, which runs through mid-July.

“Year after year, we attract quality students. Some of the former students have come back as RAs and some of the former RAs come back as teachers. It really shows dedication to the academies,” Dvorak said.