Bard Language Lab

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Nayeli Sequeira Sunguroff

Biography: Nayeli Sequeira Sunguroff was born in Managua, Nicaragua, and moved to the United States in 2018. She is studying Written Art with a concentration In Latin American-Iberian Studies here at Bard College. She has been working at the Language Center since the beginning of her junior year. She is really interested in learning languages and different cultures.

Languages Experience: My native language is Spanish, when I moved to the U.S. I started to learn English at my local high school in Massachusetts. When I first came to Bard I had the opportunity to take beginner-level classes in Italian and Chinese; It was a really amazing experience to learn the language here at Bard. I was also taking the opportunity to keep developing my English and taking Spanish classes, where my writing has been developing more throughout the years.

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Savanah Doumbia 

Biography: My name is Savanah and I am from Côte d’Ivoire(also known as the Ivory Coast) and France but I attended an international school in the Netherlands before coming to Bard. I have been working at the language center since the second semester of my freshman year as a language assistant in French.

Language experience: I grew up speaking French and learned English, Spanish, and a bit of Arabic between middle and high school. By attending an international school where English was the common language, I became fluent and also got to practice Spanish with native speakers. It is also where I started tutoring people in French for the first time before continuing it at Bard, at the Learning Commons at first then at the Language Center. I am currently learning Baoulé and a bit of Malinké, two indigenous languages of the Ivory Coast, along with some Portuguese. I love learning new languages and exploring the impact of culture on language. 

Feel free to contact me at [email protected]! 
 

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Liza Eristavi

Language Experience:  I started working in the language center in the first semester of my junior year. I graduated from the Guivy Zaldastanishvili American Academy in Tbilisi. I am fluent in Georgian, Russian, and English. Intermediate in Turkish and French; beginner in German. I've been speaking Russian and English since my childhood. started to learn French and Turkish during my middle school and high school years. And did one year of German during my freshmen year, while living in Berlin and doing "Begin in Berlin" course.
 
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach me at [email protected]!
 

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Heram Amiri 

Biography: In Fall 2023, I embark on a new chapter as I join the Language Center. My educational journey has taken me through academic institutions that prioritize inclusivity and foster a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and languages.

Language Experience: My introduction to foreign languages began in elementary school, where I acquired my first language beyond my native tongue. Furthering this linguistic exploration, I pursued Russian classes during my university studies. Building on this diverse linguistic foundation, my proficiency in my native language, Dari, has naturally deepened over the years. This multilingual journey has not only enriched my communication skills but also broadened my cultural understanding.

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Yein Kim

Biography: Hey there! I'm Yein, a sophomore studying sociology at Bard College. I'm from South Korea, and my background adds a special way of looking at things to my studies. I've been part of the Language Center since I started my sophomore year, where I get to explore different languages and cultures.

Language Experience: Learning English as a Korean has been like going on a fascinating adventure! In the beginning, it was challenging with the introduction of new words and linguistic nuances. But I kept learning and practicing a lot, and it really made a big difference. It's truly wonderful that I've had the opportunity to meet people from various parts of the world and learn fascinating aspects of their cultures.  

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Maksym Panchokha

Biography: I am a motivated student with a passion for making a difference in the world of politics and linguistics. With a proactive and innovative approach, exceptional interpersonal communication skills, and expertise in planning, organizing, and developing projects, I am well-positioned to achieve success and drive positive change.

Lang Experience: My native mother tongue is Ukrainian- one of the most beautiful languages in the world, thus not one of the easiest. Another language that I was brought up with during my childhood is Russian. I speak Polish at home with my grandmother, and with my extended family in Warsaw. I always look forward to the opportunity to visit my family in Poland, which is when my language skills are at their strongest. I started learning English in primary school. During high school, I passed the DET exam and scored 125 out of 160. As a child, I always felt motivated and excited by the thought of speaking a new language, even when I made mistakes, and I struggled to enjoy the process of learning from my mistakes when I became older. I was always interested in the connection between foreign languages and culture so decided to moderate in Global and International Studies and learn Spanish at Bard.
 

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Maggie Yang

Biography: Maggie is a third-year student majoring in vocal performance with a keen interest in Japanese translation. I've been part of the Language Center team since the start of the semester, and it's been a blast to be a part of it!

Language Experience: Hey there! I'm a native Mandarin Chinese speaker who got hooked on 80s Japanese city pop, leading me to dive into learning Japanese three years ago. I proudly achieved JLPT N1 certification last year. I enjoy translating interviews and short novels and have been having a blast singing and writing tunes in Japanese. I believe you have to love the culture, whether mainstream or subculture, to master the language.


 

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Linus Coersmeier

Language Experience: Language has played an immense role in my life. I was raised in New York City by two German parents and even lived in Berlin for a year when I was five. I've had first hand experience with the power of language and cultural diversity. As an artist, I work to make the Language Center as accessible and creative as possible. When I'm not hanging out with my friends or doing work, I like to play basketball and make music. I'm always happy to work with you, no matter the language you're learning!