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Language and Media Centers

Department Overview

The Language and Media Centers at Swarthmore College are two dynamic and flexible learning spaces that support digital initiatives and encourage technological exploration. The Language Center is located in 326 Kohlberg Hall, while the Media Center is in 114 Beardsley Hall. Our mission is to provide a wide range of technological and traditional resources to enhance and promote the study of foreign language, literature, film, media, arts and culture at Swarthmore College. These resources support a wide array of disciplines at Swarthmore and enhance College goals directed at preparing students for engaging and contributing to a diverse and global environment. We pride ourselves on being a locus of innovation on campus, and we encourage community members to share new ideas.

Student using Oculus VR headset and controls in the Language Center

We have a dedicated gaming cabinet for our Oculus VR headset and controls.

Student using Oculus VR headset and controls in the Language Center

Students currently are exploring environments pertaining to their studies.

Student using Oculus VR headset and controls in the Language Center

There are also a variety of applications for 360 environment building as well as 360 stories or "experiences", content that allows a viewer to be immersed within the story being told.

Student using Oculus VR headset and controls in the Language Center
Student using Oculus VR headset and controls in the Language Center

We have a dedicated gaming cabinet for our Oculus VR headset and controls.

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Interesting Phrases

Language students discuss some of their favorite words and phrases. 

Digital Storytelling

Students in Associate Professor of French Carina Yervasi's first-year seminar, Love and Friendship in French Literature, had a challenge for their mid-term assignment: choose an image from a collection and write an accompanying short narrative that develops an aspect/concept of love of their choice, as long as it centers on one central idea or theme. Students had to convey this central idea not only in the short narrative they wrote, but also in their voice-over, choice of images, editing, and added music. But there was one hitch - the entire assignment had to be completed in three hours.

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Best Practices for Language Learning

Short video outlining best practices for studying and learning a new language. 

Choose a Language Program