News Archive
2013
María Jesús Centeno, Learn Spanish by Cooking
Published: Scholarship and Teaching on Languages for Specific Purposes
Congratulations to Dr. Lourdes Sánchez-López and others who contributed to this accomplishment.
Scholarship and Teaching on Languages for Specific Purposes is an anthology composed of select peer-reviewed scholarly articles developed from concepts and positions presented and generated at the First International Symposium on Languages for Specific Purposes (ISLSP) celebrated on April 13–14, 2012 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (United States). The anthology is divided into five sections: (1) On LSP Theoretical Models; (2) On the Current State of LSP; (3) On LSP Programs and Practices; (4) On the Unexpected LSP Participant; and (5) On Methodology.
Dr. Krista Chambless Receives SCOLT Educator of Excellence
Dr. Krista Chambless has been unanimously selected as this year's recipient of the SCOLT Educator of Excellence. Her award will be presented during the 2013 SCOLT Conference to be held in Birmingham in April. Congratulations to Dr. Chambless!
Author Debbie Ambrous Visits UAB
Debbie invites you to enjoy following her journeys, seeing beautiful scenes from her travels and reading entertaining, personal anecdotes. Read More of Her Story
2012
Jean-Louis Etienne Visits UAB
The title of his talk was "Oceans and Ice Caps: What the Poles tell Us About Our Future."
More Information
Alabama Public Radio Interviews Dr. Serge Bokobza on Recent International Film Conference
In Commemoration of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing of 1963, the DFLL organized an international conference: "Rights & Representations". Scholars from all over the world addressed the issues of Civil and Human Rights represented in international film.
Dr. Lourdes Sánchez-López Receives the MHRC Charles Barkley Excellence in Mentoring Award 2012
Dr. Sánchez-López received her award during UAB’s MHRC 10th Anniversary Gala. Dean Palazzo and Associate Dean Rebecca Bach sponsored a table to accompany and support her award. This distinction to a member of the DFLL is a solid acknowledgment and meaningful recognition of her years mentoring Hispanic/Latino UAB students. Congratulations to Dr. Sánchez-López!
DFLL Professor Gearing up for a Year Celebrating Proust
William Carter may have retired from teaching at UAB, but his internationally-recognized expertise on the French author Marcel Proust has him gearing up for a year of full-time immersion in Proustiana.
Dr. Carlos Orihuela Publishes New Book Titled Valle de entonces
The book has received acclaim from La República a leading newspaper in Peru. Read the article (in Spanish).
Read the Spanish/English bilingual version of the book's description.
Dr. Carlos Orihuela Promoted to Full Professor
Congratulations to Professor Orihuela!
Professor Sheri Spaine Long Receives Distinguished Honor 
Sheri Spaine Long, Ph.D., professor of Spanish in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences, has been inducted into La Orden de los Descubridores, one of the highest honors of the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society Sigma Delta Pi.
Long received her honor at the 94th annual conference of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Her “exceptional contributions to the profession and her loyal promotion of the ideals of Sigma Delta Pi have earned her this distinction,” according to the society’s press release. Past inductees include renowned literary figures such as Vanessa Montfort, Antonio Porpetta, Carmen Laforet and Carmen Conde.
(By Marie Sutton, Original Article)
New Minor in Spanish for Business!
DFLL Student Wins Prestigious Scholarship 
Devin Thorne, a junior with a double major in Chinese Studies and Psychology, has been selected for the prestigious Critical Language Scholarship. Read More
DFLL Spanish Professor Teaches Air Force Cadets
Dr. Long has been teaching as a distinguished visiting professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Read about her experience!
(Click on image to expand.)
DFLL Student, Nicholas Price, Awarded Clinton Scholarship 
Nicholas’ interest in the workings of the Middle East began in an International Studies elective course with Dr. Zayzafoon. Nicholas would like to work with languages through writing or film. He is currently interested in the linguistic field of endangered language documentation and revitalization. He believes that having a foundation in Arabic will allow him to investigate language loss in the Middle East and North Africa.
2011
September, 2011
The DFLL Welcomes Three New Faculty Members
Yahui Anita Huang (Ph.D. in Linguistics, University of Texas at Austin)
Her main research interests lie in the area of Syntax, Semantics, Pragmatics, Discourse Analysis, Philosophy of Language, and Chinese linguistics.
Lorenzo García-Amaya (PhD candidate, Indiana University)
His research focuses on the development of fluency and cognitive abilities, such as lexical access and attention control, by second language learners of Spanish in different learning contexts (overseas immersion vs. standard college-based instruction).
Nicholas Henriksen (PhD in Linguistics and Hispanic Linguistics, Indiana University)
His research agenda focuses on issues in the phonetics and phonology of different varieties of Spanish from an experimental perspective, working within the fields of sociolinguistics, dialect variation, and diachronic linguistics.
June, 2011 
Dr. Serge Bokobza Named as Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures Chair
Congratulations Serge! The department looks forward to your leadership. Read the article on Dr. Bokobza.
June, 2011
Scholarship Opens Doors for Two DFLL Students to Study Abroad
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program has awarded UAB seniors Ashley Foster and Markelle Smith $5,000 each to study abroad.
Foster, who majors in history and German, will study for one academic year in Leipzig, Germany. Smith, a Spanish major, will study for a semester in Madrid, Spain.
The scholarship program gives U.S. undergraduates the opportunity to study at two-year and four-year colleges or universities around the world. It is funded by provisions from the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000.
(UAB News announcement by Marie Sutton)
Congratulations to Markelle and Ashley!
June, 2011
Award-Winning Alums Reveal the Secrets of Teaching Foreign Tongues
What's the secret to teaching — and learning — a foreign language? Three UAB alumni, now award-winning Alabama foreign language teachers, discuss the importance of art, music, literature and even science in helping students gain new perspectives along with new words. Read their article.
May, 2011
DFLL Chinese minor, Everett wins the Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship
She is the first University of Alabama at Birmingham student to receive the Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship. Read her article.
May, 2011
DFLL alumna Grace Benton wins Fulbright Scholarship
Congratulations to Grace! Read the UAB News article on this accomplishment.
April, 2011
Krish Varma awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to teach in India
The DFLL congratulates Krish for this distinguished honor! Read the UAB News article on Krish's achievement.
April, 2011
DFLL Student Markelle Smith Awarded the College Language Association Study Abroad Scholarship
Upon receiving his degree in Spanish from UAB, Markelle plans to attend pharmacy school and use his language skills to work as a pharmacist in urban areas with large Hispanic populations. In addition to participating in the UAB program in Jaén, Spain this May, he plans to spend the Fall 2011 semester abroad in Madrid through Cultural Experiences Abroad (CEA). The College Language Association Study Abroad Scholarship will be applied toward the fall program in Madrid.
February, 2011
Sandra Gómez, M.D. and DFLL alumna, receives a warm welcome at the presentation of her novel, Victoria: En busca del pasado.
The DFLL was pleased to welcome Sandra Gómez, who is the first Hispanic in Alabama to publish a novel in Spanish. In Sandra’s presentation, she spoke of her experience as a writer. She explained how the book expresses many of her personal experiences and how this writing process has helped her to grow personally. Sandra stated that she is currently finishing her second novel and has already had contact with many readers and critics who have responded positively.
During this event, Associate Professor of Spanish Carlos Orihuela spoke of her literary education in the DFLL and Interim Chair John Moore mentioned how proud he was of her for these accomplishments. 
After Sandra’s presentation, she dedicated more than an hour to share in open discussion with students and others interested in her literary work. Congratulations to Sandra for her accomplishments!
February, 2011
Congratulations to DFLL student Molly Morrison for winning the AAFLT Joanna B. Crane Scholarship for study abroad
Molly states that many aspects have motivated her to learn French, such as the literature, art, politics, traveling, food, wine, music, and movies associated with that culture. She loves that so many subjects can be brought into play when learning a foreign language and culture. Molly wishes to become a high school French teacher. She would like to instill in her students a passion for other people groups and cultures. One day, she would like to take students with her to Europe, become a French club sponsor, and even have students over to her house for a French-themed dinner. Molly believes firmly that an immersion experience, such as hers in Quebec, is absolutely vital to becoming a good foreign language teacher. After studying abroad, she hopes to begin the Alternative Masters Teacher Education Program at UAB.
February, 2011
UAB Student Grace Benton Receives Critical Languages Scholarship
Grace Benton, an International Studies major with a regional concentration in the Middle East and minors in Spanish and Arabic, has been awarded a 2011 Department of State Critical Languages Scholarship to study advanced Arabic in Jordan. Grace Benton is in the University Honors Program at UAB. In addition, in 2010 Grace was selected as UAB’s first William Jefferson Clinton Scholar for a semester’s study at the American University in Dubai. Grace plans to complete a Master of Arts in Arab Studies at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Upon graduation, she hopes to work with an organization such as AMIDEAST in the Levant developing education programs at the high school and university levels which promote understanding between the West and the Arab world.
February, 2011
Tunisia: Chaos, Revolt and the Pursuit of Democracy
Read what the DFLL's Wasan Manati and Lamia Zayzafoon have said about the political situations in Tunisia and Egypt. Click here for the article.
February, 2011
Three alumnae sweep the top statewide teaching awards
(left to right) Breanne Holland, Charli Lindley-Hamlin, Dr. Sheri Long, Dr. Malinda O'Leary
This past Saturday at the annual meeting of the Alabama Association of Foreign Language Teachers (AAFLT), held at the University of Montevallo, three alumnae of the UAB Foreign Language Education program and former Spanish majors swept the top statewide teaching awards. Dr. Sheri Long taught and mentored all three outstanding women.
Breanne Holland (formerly Seay) received the AAFLT Outstanding Teacher Award K-12. She is currently teaching K-8 Spanish at Highlands School.
Dr. Malinda O'Leary (formerly Blair) received the AAFLT Outstanding Teacher Award for Post-Secondary. She is currently on faculty at UAB and holds the rank of Assistant Professor of Spanish.
Charli Lindley-Hamlin received the AAFLT Promising New Foreign Language Teacher Award. She teaches Spanish at Thompson High School. Read the article by the Shelby County Reporter on Charli Lindley-Hamlin's award.
February, 2011
Malinda Blair O’Leary, Ph.D selected as the winner of the Alabama Association of Foreign Language Teachers 2010 Outstanding Post-Secondary Teacher Award
This nomination is a tribute to Malinda's foreign language instruction at UAB and throughout Alabama. She was recognized at this year's AAFLT conference on February 5th.
January, 2011
Francine d'Amour, one of Quebec's most prominent novelists, to give lecture in Hulsey Recital Hall on February 5th
BIRMINGHAM, AL - The Alliance Française of Birmingham and the UAB Department of Foreign Languages are pleased to host a lecture entitled, "Écrire en français en Amérique du Nord," by this distinguished novelist. Click here for more information.
2010
November, 2010
Dr. Catherine Danielou awarded the 2010 Frederick W. Conner Prize in the History of Ideas
BIRMINGHAM, AL - DFLL faculty member Catherine Danielou received this award for her essay entitled: "Our Days Pass Too Quickly: Madame De Sévigné and Aging." Read more on Catherine Danielou's award.
October, 2010
Honors student Jennifer Ghandhi's story of her UAB on the Camino Study Away experience published
BIRMINGHAM, AL - UAB Alum Jennifer Ghandhi had one last UAB adventure after her senior year: She spent a month hiking Spain's Camino de Santiago, a centuries-old pilgrim route to the bones of Saint James in the town of Santiago de Compostela. Read more on Jennifer Ghandi's Camino de Santiago experience.
October, 2010
Carlos Orihuela's recent book makes impact in Peruvian media
BIRMINGHAM, AL - DFLL faculty member Carlos Orihuela's recently published Abordajes y Aproximaciones. Ensayos sobre Literatura Peruana del Siglo XX (1950-2001) has gained much attention from the Peruvian media. Read more on Carlos Orihuela's book.
September, 2010
Japanese Distance Learning course receives accolades
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Japanese Instructor Tim Cook gains attention for his innovating online Japanese course. In collaboration with the DFLL, the Department of Communication Studies, and the Department of Theatre, Sinsei Tim has created quite an experience.
August, 2010
UAB students' transformational experiences on the Road to Santiago noted in Spanish media
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, SPAIN - UAB Students recently took part in the inaugural UAB on the Camino Study Abroad program led by Dr. John K. Moore. Read about the personal change participants experienced.
April, 2010
DFLL Student Krish Varma awarded Critical Language Scholarship to study in India
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Junior Krish Varma (Spanish and Economics Major, Honors Student) is the recipient of a 2010 U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship. Varma will study Hindi at the American Institute of Indian Studies in Jaipur, India for two months this summer. Krish is looking forward to a career in international trade; knowing how to speak Hindi will certainly help him in this endeavor. Way to go, Krish!
April, 2010
DFLL and Burr & Forman Law Firm host International Networking Event
BIRMINGHAM, AL - On April 22, an exciting networking and mentoring event took place at Burr & Forman Law Offices in downtown Birmingham. Business professionals, professors, and students made meaningful connections about language and cross-cultural skills at this fun event. Students networked with Birmingham professionals who are successful in the international arena, many of whom are multilingual. Click here to see photos from the event.
January, 2010
Spring 2010 Foreign Languages for the Professions Panel
BIRMINGHAM, AL - On January 27, 2010, The UAB Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures hosted this informative event once again. First, students listened to their peers share their experiences from studying abroad in countries such as Canada, Tunisia, and Spain as well as learn about different study abroad options such as service learning, language study and more. Students then heard from members of the Birmingham area professional community who shared their language journey and how it has led them to where they are today in their careers.
2009
November, 2009
DFLL Student Grace Benton selected as Clinton Scholar
November, 2009
UAB Marks 29th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Students, faculty and staff at UAB and the public marked the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall by writing their own impressions of this historic event on a replica of the wall on Monday, Nov. 2 in Heritage Hall. German Instructor Erika Hille Rinker led a brief discussion followed by a screening of a short documentary film. Click here for full press-release and video.
August, 2009
DFLL Student Cameron White Studies in Middle East
Birmingham, AL - Cameron White, Arabic minor, chose not to study in a comfortable European country; rather, he took a risk in order to experience a greater returns in Cairo, Egypt. Cameron views his experience as an invaluable life experience. Read the article here.
August, 2009
Bill Carter named in UAB's 40 year accomplishments
Birmingham, AL - Dr. William C. Carter was named in a recent Birmingham News editorial commending UAB's accomplishment during the past 40 years. Read the article here. We are so proud of you, Dr. Carter!
August, 2009
DFLL Student Elisha Gentle receives Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship
Birmingham, AL - Elisha Gentle, Economics major and Arabic minor has been awarded the prestigious Rotary Club International Ambassadorial Scholarship. Gentle will spend the 2010-11 academic year in Cairo, Egypt at the American University in Cairo working towards a Master's degree in Middle Eastern studies. Click here to see full article and video interview.
June, 2009
Bill Carter gives well-received talk on Proust in Cabourg, France
Trouville et Cabourg, France -Dr. William C. Carter, the highest regarded American Proust scholar and Distingued Professor Emeritus at UAB, spoke at a conference organized to give homage to Marcel Proust. Approximately 150 attendees listened attentively to the intriguing themes Carter addressed. To see full article about the conference (in French,) click here. To see interview (in French) with Dr. Carter about the conference, click here.