WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR
It is with much pride that I stepped into the role of chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures on July 1, 2024. I strongly believe that our department is positioned to be a catalyst for imparting knowledge about cultures; showing our commitment to diversity and global awareness; and preparing our students to be experts in literature, linguistics, translation, film and teaching. We offer our students an engaged learning experience in a classroom environment that is safe and inclusive. Our expert faculty not only immerse their students in the target language in their classrooms but also afford students with unique opportunities to participate directly in their research projects.
In recent years, we had two faculty members offer Honors seminars on topics related to Spanish Peninsular and Catalan cultures; other faculty have been innovative with using generative AI to engage students in authentic conversations in the target language. Some faculty skillfully guided their students through the creative world of fairy tales in Germany and others introduced their students to the politics and censorship of modern Burma. Our creativity in the classroom never ceases to amaze me,
and I can only imagine where it will lead us in the future. As you will see in the following pages, our department has been quite busy in this post-pandemic world. Our Foreign Language Residence Program celebrated its 50th anniversary, and our Tagalog professor, Rhodalyne GalloCrail, led a group of Fulbright recipients to the Philippines where they were introduced to her culture, language and beautiful country. You can also read about our students’ successes and academic achievements, our outstanding faculty-led study abroad summer programs and our new director of educator licensure, Nancy Domínguez-Fret I hope that you enjoy the many remarkable stories we have to share with you in this newsletter.
One final note: A special thanks to all of you who have supported our programs in one way or another. Donations to WLC are directed exclusively to student success. We provide scholarships for study abroad, tuition and other cultural activities both on and off campus. Thank you.
Go Huskies!
Linda
Saborío
Chair
of World Languages and Cultures
LEADERSHIP TRANSITIONS AND RETIREMENT
The fall semester brought many transitions to our department leadership. Professor John Bentley, who served as chair for the past five years, returned to the faculty to teach Japanese. Linda Saborío, previous assistant chair, is serving as the current chair. Jessamine Cooke-Plagwitz began as assistant chair in fall 2024. Mandy Faretta-Stutenberg has assumed the role of director of Undergraduate Studies. Shannon Becker continues to serve as director of Graduate Studies, with Nancy Domínguez-Fret serving as director of our educator licensure program.
Congratulations to Candace Medina on her retirement this summer. Joining NIU in 1989, she was a Spanish faculty instructor in our department for 35 years. As a lifelong Huskie, Medina received both her B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature and her M.A. in Spanish at NIU. She especially enjoyed those teaching moments when something would eventually click with a student and when their hard work would lead to success in the class. We wish her a happy and much-deserved retirement.
FACULTY HIGHLIGHT: RAHMI HARTATI AOYAMA, PH.D
Rahmi Hartati Aoyama has been an Indonesian language instructor at Northern Illinois University for nearly a decade. As a first-generation student, she pursued higher education abroad through scholarships from both Boston University and NIU. She earned her master’s degree in educational media and technology from Boston University and her Ph.D. in instructional technology from NIU. In 2007, she received a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant award, which began her career as an Indonesian instructor at NIU.
During her tenure, Professor Aoyama has not only taught Indonesian language but also has introduced her students to the richness of Indonesian culture. One of the highlights of her classes is the Indonesian cooking competition, where students shop for ingredients in a simulated market and follow traditional recipes to create authentic Indonesian dishes. Other best-loved class activities are decorating Indonesian rice mountains (nasi tumpeng), playing Indonesian traditional games and using grinding stones to make peanut sauce. These activities blend language learning with cultural immersion and have become favorites among her students.
Her current research focuses on integrating AI-based spoken dialog systems (SDS) into language learning to enhance speaking and listening skills. This cutting-edge technology is particularly promising for Less Commonly Taught Languages, as it allows students to practice conversational skills with a computer and receive real-time feedback. She has developed and tested three prototypes with her students, who find the system to be an effective tool for language practice outside the classroom. This semester, she is working on three more prototypes and conducting research on virtual reality experiences to promote intercultural sensitivity among Indonesian language learners. Her research will be published in a computer-assisted language learning (CALL) journal in April 2025. Moving forward, she plans to introduce this technology to NIU's world languages and cultures department, aiming to integrate it into additional language assessment programs.
In addition to her teaching and research, Professor Aoyama was recently awarded a prestigious FulbrightHays grant for a short-term study abroad program. In summer 2025, she will lead a group of students from across the U.S., including NIU students, to Indonesia where they will engage in full cultural and language immersion. This competitive grant highlights her dedication to providing students with valuable experiential learning opportunities.
Looking ahead, she also intends to expand Indonesian language offerings and cultural education into middle and high schools. She plans to collaborate with teachers to introduce Indonesian culture as a tool for fostering tolerance and intercultural understanding. Through these efforts, she hopes to inspire more students to pursue Indonesian studies at NIU.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: ANNA SERRANO
Anna Serrano graduated from NIU with her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in French (2012; 2014). NIU Huskies run in her family — both her father and brother attended NIU, and each had a wonderful experience. Anna’s father was always very involved with the Department of World Languages and Cultures, and since learning a foreign language is what Serrano was interested in pursuing, she decided to apply to our program. Given that both her father and brother were also participants in our Foreign Language Residence Program (FLRP), Serrano wanted to continue with the family legacy and decided to join the program her first semester.
Serrano is a true polyglot; she completed her undergraduate degree at NIU in French with double minors in Italian and Spanish. She was also accepted into our educator licensure program. During her undergraduate studies, Serrano fondly remembers working with Professor Maryline Lukacher, who had a huge impact on her life and career as her mentor and teacher. She also worked very closely with Professor Mirta Pagnucci, who had a tremendous influence on her philosophy as a teacher. Upon completing her undergraduate degree in French, Serrano decided to pursue her master’s degree
in the same language and was appointed the position of graduate assistant for FLRP. In this position, Serrano worked very closely with Gregory Ross, the former director of FLRP. She describes Ross as an important mentor to her both in and out of the classroom, and as someone who truly helped to shape both the teacher and person she is today. She was also very fortunate to work with Professor Christopher Nissen during her time as a graduate student in the French master’s program. Nissen served as Serrano’s thesis advisor, and it is due in large part to his support that Serrano was able to graduate with her M.A. degree in French.
Currently, Serrano works at the College of DuPage as an associate professor of French and Italian, where she also serves as an advisor for the French and Italian clubs. Alternating summers, she directs through the College of DuPage two month-long study abroad programs — one in Bordeaux, France, and the other in Siena, Italy. This past June, she also earned her master’s degree in Italian from DePaul University. She married a fellow FLRPie (member of the Foreign Language Residence Program), Mauricio Serrano, and together they share two beautiful children, Marlowe, who is 5 years old, and Luca, who is 2.
Student Achievements
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
On April 26, 2024, our department celebrated the accomplishments of a very select group of students at our annual awards ceremony. In all, there were 15 students chosen to be recognized for their exceptional academic achievements as well as their persistence and commitment to success. This event is always one of the favorites for both faculty and students — we love to honor our top achievers and wish them the best in their postgraduate years.
Deaf Studies Student Award: Matthew Lilagan
Japanese Studies Student Award: Maya Wilson
Outstanding Educator Licensure Award: María Orellana
American Association of Teachers of German Award: Kai Lidke
Student Achievements
MORE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Dean’s List:
Nancy Arndt – Spanish and Hispanic Studies
Jessica Arzate – Spanish and Hispanic Studies
Christian Bailey – Spanish and Hispanic Studies
Mariela Dsouza – Spanish and Hispanic Studies
Carlos Loera – Spanish and Hispanic Studies
Fecele Nouko – French and Francophone Studies
Dyeato Paye – Spanish and Hispanic Studies
Nancy Tapia Espindola – Spanish and Hispanic Studies
Michael Tuskey – Spanish and Hispanic Studies
Bianca Villegas Arteaga – Spanish and Hispanic Studies
Dean’s Award:
Fecele Nouko – French and Francophone Studies
Kai Lidke – German Studies
Dyeato Paye – Spanish and Hispanic Studies
Spanish and Hispanic Studies Outstanding Graduate Student Award:
Candelaria Barrientos Jimenez successfully defended her M.A. thesis on March 27, 2024. Her research project, titled “Do We Need Multiple Translations of the Same Text? I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter Analyzed,” examines a Spanish language translation of a Mexican American-authored novel that was marketed to Mexico and then repackaged with numerous variations for U.S. consumers. Jiménez also worked as a graduate assistant with Professor Laura Vilardell and tutored our second language learners in Spanish. She is the recipient of several awards, including the ICTFL Scholarship for Future World Language Teachers and NIU's Outstanding Graduate Student award. In spring 2024, she completed her educator licensure requirements alongside her M.A. degree in Spanish and Hispanic Studies and then started her high school teaching career in the fall.
Lincoln Laureate Award:
Merveille Muyizere , a biological sciences major with a minor in French and Francophone studies and chemistry, and a participant in our Foreign Language Residence Program, was recognized with the prestigious 2023 Lincoln Laureate Award. Her research work on house flies earned her a third-place award as part of NIU’s Conference for Undergraduate Research. She was awarded a four-year scholarship through the Give Something Back Foundation to attend NIU and was recognized as an Illinois State scholar in 2020. Muyizere has held an array of leadership roles as an Honors fellow; president of Alpha Omega Epsilon Sorority for women in STEM fields; secretary for Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society; a McKearn fellow; an Undergraduate Research Ambassador; a Research Rookie; and more at NIU and beyond. Among her vast research experiences, Muyizere has worked on cancer research, feeding human brain cancer cells for growth and analysis. Congratulations to all our outstanding students!
STUDY ABROAD WITH WORLD LANGUAGES AND CULTURES FACULTY
Tagalog Language Immersion in Northern and Southern Rural Philippines
Our Tagalog faculty instructor, Rhodalyne Gallo-Crail, led a Fulbright-sponsored Advanced Overseas Intensive Language Training Project that included both an area studies perspective (culture, history, and environmental science) and a thematic perspective (sustainable agriculture, specifically Philippine coffee and carabao). The project cumulated in a fully funded, four-week immersion trip to the Philippines where NIU students participated in a coffee-based language program at the Cavite State University followed by a carabao and agriculture-related program with the Central Luzon State University. Both institutions included enrichment sessions on history, culture, arts, music and other concepts related to Philippine society.
Spanish Language and Culture in Toledo, Spain
In June 2024, Professor Stephen Vilaseca led a group of six students to Toledo, Spain. The students spent four weeks living in Toledo where they were immersed in the Spanish culture while taking classes toward their majors and minors. One of the exciting opportunities was a cooking class where the students learned to make traditional Spanish dishes — and got to enjoy eating them. Every summer, one of our faculty members leads a group of both undergraduate and graduate students to Toledo, Spain. Students can earn up to six credit hours that can be applied to either their major or minor requirements. This long-standing program is an excellent opportunity for our students to sharpen their Spanish communication skills and enhance their knowledge about Spain.
STUDY ABROAD WITH WORLD LANGUAGES AND CULTURES FACULTY
Cancún Summer Experience 2024
This past summer, in collaboration with the Center for Latino and Latin American Studies, students traveled to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula for a cultural experience. Together with NIU faculty, the participants visited ancient Mayan ruins, swam in cenotes, snorkeled in lagoons, took a ferry to Holbox island, visited a rural hacienda and learned about Mexican history and ecology. Students came away from the experience with a deeper understanding of sustainability issues in the region and a deeper appreciation of the local culture and people. We hope to collaborate with the Center for Latino and Latin American Studies on more enriching summer experiences such as this one.
La Vie Provençale in Aix-en-Provence
We also offer a faculty-led study abroad summer experience to Aix-en-Provence, France. Our students live with a host family in the beautiful south of France region where they can visit the Luberon countryside, travel to the port city of Marseille and explore the medieval city of Avignon. Students can earn up to six credit hours on this study abroad program that can be applied to either their major or minor requirements. This program is one of our students’ favorites, and we expect to see it flourish in the coming years.
As a department, we understand the importance of cultural and language immersion and recognize the huge impact an experience abroad can have on our students. We also support several foreign exchange programs in other countries including Austria, Japan and Chile.
EDUCATOR LICENSURE NEWS
Our educator program prepares aspiring language educators to become licensed PreK-12 teachers in French, German or Spanish in the state of Illinois. We offer small classes, personal attention and hands-on teaching experiences that prepare our students to take on the role of teaching in their target language. Many of our graduates have been recognized for their outstanding teaching and future potential in the profession, including Kimberly Radostits (Illinois Teacher of the Year), Cristina Bravo (ICTFL Award for New Teachers of Foreign Languages) and Candelaria Barrientos Jimenez (ICTFL Scholarships for Future World Language Teachers).
This year, the assistant director of our educator licensure program, Kathy Kuschman, was recognized with the Illinois Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages award in Distinguished Service to Foreign Language Learning for her exemplary teaching and training. We are so proud of the numerous recognitions of our students and faculty.
Did you know that our educator licensure program boasts 100% placement of their graduates in excellent school districts around the state of Illinois?
A CONVERSATION WITH NANCY DOMÍNGUEZ-FRET
In fall 2023, Nancy Domínguez-Fret became the newest member of our WLC faculty. As the director of our educator licensure program, she will be instrumental in preparing our students to become K-12 foreign language teachers in the state of Illinois. With a specialization in teaching Spanish heritage learners, Domínguez-Fret also has plans to grow our heritage learner class offerings as well as our methodology courses for teaching Spanish heritage identity in the classroom. We are very excited that she has joined our WLC Huskie family. Why did you decide to become a professor? Was there someone who influenced your decision?
Growing up speaking Spanish at home and frequently visiting México inspired me to become a high school Spanish teacher. While teaching heritage Spanish at Bolingbrook High School, I noticed that many Spanish teachers, including myself, were not adequately trained to work with heritagespeaking students. The scarcity of educational resources for teaching heritage Spanish motivated me to pursue a Ph.D. and become a professor, with a focus on researching and addressing these challenges.
Where did you study your advanced degree? What was your favorite course as a graduate student and why?
I completed my master's in Spanish linguistics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and my Ph.D. in language, literacy and culture at the University of Illinois Chicago. My favorite graduate student course was a biliteracy course that explored research in bilingualism, translanguaging and dual-language bilingual education.
What is your current area of research? Can you tell us a little bit about your most recent research project?
My current research focuses on heritage language
education, teacher preparation and dual language bilingual education (DLBE). As a member of a DLBE research collective, our latest project involved interviewing Latinx parents about their language goals for their children. We also conducted Spanish-language workshops in various CPS schools to inform families about the benefits of bilingual education, distinguish between transitional bilingual education and DLBE programs, and present research findings highlighting the need for more DLBE programming in CPS schools with significant Latinx communities. Additionally, we organized a Spanishlanguage DLBE parent summit where parents had the opportunity to learn from DLBE experts and share their concerns and experiences regarding bilingual education in the Chicagoland area.
What classes do you teach at NIU? What do you like the most about your classes?
At NIU, I teach Spanish courses for heritage speakers (FLSP 215 and FLSP 315) and sociolinguistics. I also teach language methodology courses for future Spanish, French and German language educators. What I enjoy most about my classes is that I teach and mentor first-generation students and students interested in language education. What do you like about being a member of the Huskie family?
I like that people are friendly, helpful and dedicated to serving our students.
Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself with our alumni?
Outside of work, I love to run (last year I ran the Chicago Marathon), travel and go on long walks with my daughter, son and husband.
ONCE A FLRPIE, ALWAYS A FLRPIE! Department
Foreign Language Residence Program
Our program continues to be very active, with new languages and enriching cultural activities and excursions added every year. This past year, FLRP offered French, Japanese, Spanish and Tagalog language immersion tables. The FLRPies participated in the annual (and much anticipated) Taft retreat and later in the semester spent
an entire day in Chicago. While in Chicago, they attended a Latinx performance at the Goodman Theatre, visited the National Museum of Mexican Art, and walked through the Chinese gardens in Chinatown where they enjoyed lunch along with some delicious bubble tea. FLRPies also participated in a night of FLRP's Got Talent and showcased their language learning abilities at our annual International Dinner.
FLRP Taft Retreat Fall 2024
For over 50 years, the Foreign Language Residence Program has offered a weekend retreat in Lorado Taft, Oregon. This yearly tradition has shaped the experiences of countless participants. Taft has truly been at the heart of FLRP, serving as a nurturing environment where friendships blossom and cultural exchange thrives.
This past September, FLRP gathered for what would be their final retreat at this beloved location. The last weekend was filled with a mix of nostalgia and bittersweet emotions as the group participated in activities, knowing it would be their last time together in this special place. Each activity was infused with memories from past years, reminding them of the growth, laughter and challenges they have experienced together.
Every year, including this one, they organized a variety of engaging activities designed to promote cultural awareness and teamwork. These included cultural presentations where participants showcased aspects of their languages and heritage, foreign films that opened their eyes to different narratives and crafts that allowed
them to express their creativity. Also, our team-building activities challenged them both physically and mentally, encouraging collaboration and communication among participants. Finally, the night hike was a favorite tradition, offering a chance to connect with nature and reflect on their experiences.
While this retreat may have been the last at this location, the bonds they formed and the memories they created will forever remain a part of the FLRP journey.
FLRP 50th Anniversary
One of the biggest highlights for our FLRPies was our 50th anniversary celebration. On Sept. 24, 2022, our Foreign Language Residence Program earned the distinction of one of the oldest living-learning communities in the United States. Established in 1972, our Foreign Language Residence Program has provided NIU students an opportunity to learn and explore languages and cultures as part of a caring, diverse community. Regardless of the decade, the hallmarks of FLRP are a constant: evening dinners, retreats at Lorado Taft, cultural excursions, international dinners with faculty and families, living on the FLRP floors and study abroad activities. Our 50th celebration included an informal gathering in DeKalb, a campus tour and a reception at Altgeld Hall followed by dinner and student entertainment. This momentous occasion will not soon be forgotten.
Gliesman (current FLRP coordinator), Sharon Tourville and Greg Ross (former FLRP coordinator).
Group image of anniversary attendees.
Concepcion
Faculty Publications
RECENT FACULTY PUBLICATIONS
Morales, P. Z., Alcalá, R., Monsivais Diers, N., & Domínguez-Fret, N. (2023). ¿Estamos escuchando?: Creating transformative ruptures that amplify Latinx family language maintenance expectations and rights. In Delavan, M. G., Freire, J., & Menken, K. (Ed.), Overcoming the gentrification of dual language bilingual education: Solution-oriented research and stakeholder resources Multilingual Matters.
Faretta-Stutenberg, M., Issa, B., Bowden, H.W., & Morgan-Short, K. (2023). Parallel forms reliability of two versions of the Spanish Elicited Imitation Task. Research Methods in Applied Linguistics, 2(3).
Moranski, K., Godoy Peñas, J., Issa B.I., FarettaStutenberg., M., & Bowden, H.W. (2023). Spanish L2 development in a short-term immersion program. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 35(1), 345-391.
Bowden, H.W. & Faretta-Stutenberg, M. (2023). Context of learning in L2 neurocognition. In K. Morgan-Short and J.G. van Hell (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Second Language Acquisition and Neurolinguistics (pp. 368-380). Routledge.
Faretta-Stutenberg, M., Finestrat, I. & Morgan-Short, K. (2023). Technology in Cognitive Research: Methods to Examine Second Language Processing Technology in Cognitive Research. In C. Pérez Vidal and C. Sanz (Eds.), Methods in Study Abroad Research: Past, Present, and Future (pp. 157-179). John Benjamins.
Saborío, Linda. (2023). “Mexican Theatre and the Feminist Absurd.” Hispanic Journal, 44(2), pp.105-124.
Saborío, Linda. (2023). “Staging Gendered Perspectives on Mexico’s 1968 Social Movements: Elena Garro’s Sócrates y los gatos and Pilar Campesino’s Octubre terminó hace mucho tiempo.” MARLAS (Middle Atlantic Review of Latin American Studies), 7(1), pp. 103-126.
Than, Tharaphi. (2023) ‘Opening Words from the Compiler’ in edited volume, Independent Journal of Burmese Scholarship
Than, Tharaphi. (2023) ‘Is There Such a Thing as Myanmar Feminism’ in edited volume, Independent Journal of Burmese Scholarship
Than, Thararphi. (2023) ‘Military violence in Myanmar is worsening amid fierce resistance and international ambivalence’ The Conversation
Vilardell, Laura. “La relació epistolar de dos anglòfils catalans: Joan Gili i Marià Manent”. Marià Manent: lectures d’un clàssic modern, edited by Francesco Ardolino, Jordi Manent, Jordi Marrugat, and Andrea Montoya. Barcelona: Edicions de la Revista de Catalunya, 2023.
Vilaseca, Stephen. “Modernity, the Search for Meaning, and the Spanish Streetcar Experience in Late Nineteenthand Early Twentieth-Century Madrid: Clarín, Galdós and Pardo Bazán.” Romance Quarterly 70.3 (2023): 179-191.
Your donations play an important role in supporting student success in our Department of World Languages and Cultures. We take great pride in being able to provide our students with opportunities to study abroad and to work one-on-one with renowned faculty in their fields. It is through your generous giving that we can continue to support our students in these life-changing experiences.
Through annual giving or planned giving and endowments, there’s a method to fit just about any budget. For more information, please contact Kyleigh Exner, associate director of advancement, at 815-753-7533.
There are several ways to make your gift to Northern Illinois University’s Department of World Languages and Cultures.
Online: Make a credit card gift online (designate your gift to the Department of World Languages and Cultures).
Phone: 1-877-GIV-2-NIU.
Mail: One-time credit card or check gifts may be made using the Gift Form
On behalf of our students and faculty, many thanks to those who give generously to our program.