UNews - Official

DELF-DALF Centre a language hub

trevor.kenney — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:22:45 +0000

More people in southern Alberta will have access to an internationally recognized French language testing process this year.

The DELF-DALF French Language Proficiency Testing Centre at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge offered its first exams in April and is now gearing up for a new round of testing in November.

The DELF-DALF tests recognize written and spoken competency in the French language at several levels, ranging from beginner to expert. More than 50 people, including U of L students, middle school students from Pincher Creek and members of the general public, completed the testing process last year. Successful candidates receive an internationally recognized diploma issued by the Centre International D'Etudes Pédagogiques (CIEP) in Paris.

Modern languages professors Steven Urquhart and Barbara Dickinson founded the local centre through a successful grant application to the Canada-Alberta Official Language Protocol (COLEP) in 2009, which saw them receive $127,000 per year over four years.

Modern Languages faculty members (L to R), Steven Urquhart, Mélanie Collado and Barbara Dickinson.

A steering committee, consisting of director Urquhart and co-directors, Dickinson and Mélanie Collado from Modern Languages and Peter Heffernan from the Faculty of Education, is working with local school boards to promote French in southern Alberta. The entire testing process is strictly controlled by the French government through the CIEP and depends on "corrector-examiners" who have successfully completed an extensive training course. Currently the Centre has recruited correctors from Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Pincher Creek.

As part of the Centre's ongoing work, Urquhart and Collado spent part of their summer in Nantes, France attending a program offered by the CIEP to become trainers for the DELF (Diplôme d'études en langue française) and DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) corrector-examiners.

"In this way, we will be able to train correctors without depending on the Alliance Française in Calgary, " says Urquhart. "This past summer, a few correctors took training in order to be able to offer advanced testing (DALF C1/C2), which should appeal to ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ students as well as to people looking to work and or study internationally. Most French universities, for example, require students to have the C1 level to enroll in regular courses with French students."

Urquhart adds that employers are increasingly recognizing the DELF/DALF standard when a second language is required or suggested as part of a job description.

"The DELF and the DALF correspond to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which is quickly becoming the international standard with respect to the evaluation of language proficiency," says Urquhart. "For example, at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, the Common European Framework of Reference was used to evaluate potential employees' language proficiency."

Urquhart says that the French diplomas have equivalencies in German (Zertifikat Deutsch), Spanish (DELE), Italian (CELI) and many other languages. These diplomas serve as language proficiency guides for public and private sector institutions around the world, and allow them to better understand an individual's language competency.

"This is the only French testing centre south of Calgary, so anyone in this area can contact us to learn more about the process. We are also looking for people to act as corrector-examiners. The more people we have helping us, the better we can serve those who want to take the tests and have their language skills officially recognized."

The deadline to apply for the next round of testing is Oct. 4. The tests begin in early November. There is no cost, but a deposit is required to confirm enrollment and is refunded when the course is complete.

To learn more, please visit this website: http://www.uleth.ca/artsci/delf-dalf/

This story first appeared in the September issue of the Legend. For a look at the full issue of the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Changes don't have to end with Challenge

trevor.kenney — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:18:59 +0000

The 7th Annual Bee Heart Smart Challenge has concluded for the year and what a successful year we had!

A total of 18 teams (consisting of 165 people plus a number of individual participants) took part and the competition was fierce. Although I tried to get my name on the top-10 stepper list, other, more ambitious steppers quickly bumped me.

Thanks to all who joined in the fun. Watch the Notice Board and the Wellness website (www.uleth.ca/hum/wellness) for challenge winners.

Thank you to all our motivators – Mike Mahon, Nancy Walker, Kevin McFadzen – and although Maureen Mahon was not an official Busy Bee champion, she kept me motivated throughout the challenge. What excellent role models we have here at the
U of L.

Now that we have been physically active for six weeks, how do we maintain the
momentum we've established and keep the motivation up for the rest of the year?

Here are some tips:

Track your own physical activity

Use a calendar in your phone, or on your fridge, to keep track of the number of minutes each day that you are active. Include short bursts of physical activity – even 10 minutes at a time is beneficial – as well as activities such as stretching and yoga. At the end of the month count the total number of days you were active and calculate your percentage of active days.

Compare yourself from month to month and ask yourself, "Was it a good one?" Or could you increase your physical activity level?

Even 10 minutes is fine

Don't feel up to going to the gym, getting on the treadmill or going for a walk?
Try the 10-minute rule. Do an activity for only 10 minutes, and if after 10 minutes you still want to quit, do so. You might just surprise yourself and find you want to continue. Starting is often the hardest part.

Find a buddy

A friend, co-worker, family member or dog can act as a wonderful motivator. Get together to do something physical, even if it is only once per week. Chances are you will increase your activity level during the rest of the week to ensure you can keep up.

Remember to walk

We all have to walk somewhere every day. What we might not realize is that walking is easy on the body, and it burns calories and builds muscle – no fancy equipment required. People who track their progress and realize the benefits of walking are more likely to stay committed to their walking routine.

Challenge yourself

Enroll in a race, or try a different competitive or fun activity. Setting a competitive goal might be all the motivation you need to stay with your fitness plan.

In other Wellness news, Building Healthy Lifestyles will be offering a Festive Feasts Summer BBQ class on Friday, June 24 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. In the class, you will learn about how to make your own marinades, salads and spice mixes, all the while getting to sample some wonderful recipes. Call 403-388-6654 to register for this free workshop.

This story first appeared in the Legend. To view the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Torch relay to feature U of L runners

trevor.kenney — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:57:27 +0000

The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay will make its way through the Lethbridge area Sunday, Jan. 17 and as of now, three individuals with ties to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge are included on the torch relay team.

Calgary resident and CP Rail employee Chantelle Dubois Nishiyama (BA '98), local music educator Ken Rogers (BEd/BMus '86) and current Faculty of Management student James Zanoni are all scheduled to carry the torch on Sunday.

A full day of festivities is planned with family activities beginning at 1 p.m. at Henderson Ice Centre. The actual torch relay is expected to go from 4 to 6 p.m. with the day's events concluding with fireworks at 6:50 p.m. at Henderson Lake Park.

A map of the torch relay route can be found at this website: http://www.lethbridgetorchrelay.ca/map/map.html

Torch Arrival and Stage Show (Main Stage At Henderson Lake Park, beginning at 4:30 p.m.)

4:40 p.m. Official Welcome

4:50 p.m. Entertainment by Aboriginal Hoop Dancers, U of L Global Drums, Trevor Panczak, U of L Women's Chorus and Torch Relay Sponsors Coca-Cola and RBC

5:55 p.m. Arrival of Torch

6:00 p.m. Lighting of the Celebration Cauldron

6:00 p.m. National Anthem sung by Bilingual Schools' Combined Choir

6:05 p.m. Vancouver 2010 Entertainment

6:20 p.m. Entertainment by Hippodrome

6:50 p.m. Extinguishing the Celebration Cauldron / Closing Remarks and Fireworks

Convocation highlights week

trevor.kenney — Mon, 25 May 2009 18:01:21 +0000

An estimated 1,500 ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students will cross the stage to receive well-earned university degrees this week as the U of L holds its Spring Convocation, Thursday and Friday in the 1st Choice Savings Centre.

A total of four ceremonies will be held over the two days, beginning with Thursday morning's 9:30 a.m. Ceremony I event. Ceremony II is set for Thursday afternoon at 2:30 p.m., followed by Ceremony III and IV on Friday, 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. respectively.

In addition to the many degrees that will be handed out, a number of members from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community will be honoured for outstanding achievements throughout the past year. Dr. Ian McAdam (English) will receive the 2009 Distinguished Teaching Award and be honoured duriing Ceremony I. Dr. Brian Titley (Education) is the 2009 winner of the Ingrid Speaker Medal and he will be honoured during Friday morning's Ceremony III. The 2009 Senate Volunteer Award goes to Dr. Dennis Connolly and he will be honoured during Thursday evening's Chancellor's Dinner, beginning at 6 p.m. A limited number of tickets are still available for this event. Contact Nicole Leusink at 403-329-2482 or e-mail her at nicole.leusink@uleth.ca for additional information.

Once again, the U of L is providing live stream video of the convocation ceremonies through its website. It can be found by following this Spring Convocation video link.

Following is a full schedule of events for Spring Convocation.

Thursday, May 28 - Convocation Ceremony I and Ceremony II

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Information ROSS, SU140, SUB

7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Regalia Distribution Bookstore, Level 2, SUB
(Graduands and Academic Staff)

8:15 a.m. & 1:15 p.m. Usher Assembly & Rehearsal Gymnasium, PE155

8:00 a.m. Official Photographs Boardroom, W646, UHall
(Honorary Degree Recipients, Distinguished Teacher, Chancellor, President, Board Chair)

8:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Assembly of Graduands Atrium, Level 6, UHall
Ceremony I - PhD, MA, MSc, MEd, MSc(Mgt), CAAP, BA, BASc
Ceremony II - BSc, BHSc, BN

8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Faculty Information Booths 1st Choice Savings Centre, Level 2

8:45 a.m. & 1:45 p.m. Assembly of Chancellor's Party and Academic Staff, Theatre Foyer, Level 5, Cent. for Arts
(Chancellor, President, Board Chair, Honorary Degree Recipients, Distinguished Teacher, Executive Senators, Board of Governors, Visiting Dignitaries, Academic Staff, Marshals and other Platform Guests)
Assembly of Soloists & Musicians, PE157
Assembly of First Aid Personnel, PE105

9:15 a.m. & 2:15 p.m. Deadline for Seating Gymnasium, PE155
(Audience, Press and Distinguished Guests)

9:20 a.m. & 2:20 p.m. Academic Procession Theatre Foyer to PE155
(Decision to process indoors or outdoors made by Chief Marshal)

9:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. Convocation Ceremony I and II Gymnasium, PE155

11:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m. Convocation Tea Track, Level 2, PE

1:00 p.m. Official Photographs Boardroom, W646, UHall
(Honorary Degree Recipient, Chancellor, President, Board Chair)

11:30 a.m.– 1:30 p.m. Working Lunch AH100
(For any staff, or platform members working back-to-back ceremonies)

11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Regalia Return
Graduates and Academic Staff Bookstore, Level 2, SUB
Platform Party, PE264

Friday, May 29 - Convocation Ceremony III and Ceremony IV

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Information ROSS, SU140, SUB

7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Regalia Distribution Bookstore, Level 2, SUB
(Graduands and Academic Staff)

8:15 a.m. & 12:15 p.m. Usher Assembly & Rehearsal Gymnasium, PE155

8:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Assembly of Graduands Atrium, Level 6, UHall
Ceremony III - Dip in Ed, BEd, BA/BEd, BSc/BEd, BFA(Art)/BEd, BFA(Dramatic Arts)/BEd, BMus/
BEd, BMgt/BEd, BFA(Art), BFA(Dramatic Arts), BFA(Multidisciplinary), BFA(New Media), BMus
Ceremony IV - PBCA, BMgt, Mgt Cert, BA/BMgt, BSc/BMgt

8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Faculty Information Booths 1st Choice Savings Centre, Level 2

8:45 a.m. & 1:45 p.m. Assembly of Chancellor's Party and Academic Staff, Theatre Foyer, Level 5, Cent. for Arts
(Chancellor, President, Board Chair, Honorary Degree Recipient, Ingrid Speaker Medal Recipient,
Executive Senators, Board of Governors, Visiting Dignitaries, Academic Staff, Marshals and other Platform
Guests)
Assembly of Soloists & Musicians, PE157
Assembly of First Aid Personnel, PE105

9:15 a.m. & 2:15 p.m. Deadline for Seating Gymnasium, PE155
(Audience, Press and Distinguished Guests)

9:20 a.m. & 2:20 p.m. Academic Procession Theatre Foyer to PE155
(Decision to process indoors or outdoors made by Chief Marshal)

9:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. Convocation Ceremony III and IV Gymnasium, PE155

11:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m. Convocation Tea Track, Level 2, PE

1 p.m. Official Photographs Boardroom, W646, UHall
(Honorary Degree Recipients, Ingrid Speaker Medal Recipient, Chancellor, President, Board Chair)

11:30 a.m.– 1:30 p.m. Working Lunch AH100
(For any staff, or platform members working back-to-back ceremonies)

7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Regalia Return
Graduates and Academic Staff Bookstore, Level 2, SUB
Platform Party, PE264

Screening of Cidade de Deus (City of God)

trevor.kenney — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 22:57:50 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Department of New Media will be presenting a screening of the critically-acclaimed film Cidade de Deus (City of God), Monday evening at the Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery.

Dr. Omar Rodríguez from the Department of Modern Languages will introduce the film and later lead a discussion session following the screening.

Cidade de Deus is an engaging and often disturbing journey into the violent slums of Rio de Janeiro. Well inscribed in a Latin American tradition of social violence cinema, the film introduces innovative uses of editing, colour, music and narrative techniques (like the voice-over and the flashback) to create a strong sense of reality without falling into dominant and more traditional forms of realism.

The film reaped numerous awards following its release in 2002 including: Winner of the Gran Coral, Best Fiction Film, New Latin American Film Festival, Havana, 2002; Official Selection, International Film Festival, Cannes, 2002; Winner, BAFTA Award, Best Editing, 2003; Nominee, BAFTA, 2003, Best film not in the English Language; Official nominee on Behalf of Brazil, Oscar, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Hollywood.

The screening and discussion begins at 6 p.m. and runs through 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 at the Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery.

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