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Our Blog

Music, sports, food, films, travel, language...

Peer tutors share their interests about language and culture in our Blog!

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Arabic LLA Mustafa's Linguistic Odyssey. Urdu, Arabic, English.
4.11.2024: Arabic LLA Mustafa's Linguistic Odyssey
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Growing up in Saudi Arabia as a child of Pakistani descent, my linguistic journey was a tapestry woven with threads of Urdu, Arabic, and English.
German tutor Dani Writes about the East German Punk Scene. Pictured are several photographs of punks and their activity from the 1970s to the 1980s
10.23.2023: German Peer Tutor Dani Writes About The East German Punk Scene
Monday, October 23, 2023
The East German punk scene is like no other, and their revolution keeps me awake at night...
German tutor Kaleb writes about Studying Abroad in Freiburg Germany. Images of iconic landmarks and Kaleb in Freiburg are included in the image
10.23.2023: German Peer Tutor Kaleb Writes About Studying Abroad in Freiburg, Germany
Monday, October 23, 2023
Last semester, I studied abroad in Freiburg, Germany. From late February to late July, I experienced living in a foreign country for the first time.
From left to right: The film poster for Coming Out; German Peer Tutor Kai reviews Coming Out (Carow 1989)
10.18.2023: German Peer Tutor Kai Reviews the Film "Coming Out" (1989)
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Coming Out is a 1989 German film which was directed by Heiner Carow and written by Wolfram Witt.
9.28.2023: French Peer Tutor Eliza Reviews Parisian Hot Chocolate
Thursday, September 28, 2023
This summer, I had the chance to try out three of the most famous cafés (and hot chocolates) in Paris: Les Deux Magots, Carette, and Angelina. And, like everyone else, I certainly have my rankings on these three. Let’s dive in!
French tutor Hazal writes about Spring Break in Paris, France. Images show Hazal with other students in various locations in Paris.
4.13.2023: French Peer Tutor Hazal Writes about Spring Break in Paris
Thursday, April 13, 2023
During spring break, I had the amazing opportunity to go to Paris, France as a student in PSCH 394, “Seminar in Paris: Gender-Based Violence, Racism, and Inclusion in the U.S. and France.”
Spanish Peer Tutor Lisset writes about award-winning Queso Cotija cheese and Cotija de la Paz, Michoacan
3.28.2023: Spanish Peer Tutor Lisset writes about award-winning Queso Cotija cheese and Cotija de la Paz, Michoacan
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
I am proud to say that my hometown Cotija de la Paz, Michoacan, Mexico is known for its delicious cheese and has even made headlines.
Picture source: https://soundcloud.com/mjfresh/deejay-mj-konpa-dance-mashup
3.15.2023: French Peer Tutor Ketura writes about Konpa
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
We often say that a party without Konpa is not a Haitian party.
The Golden Coach, French Cancan, Elena and her Men
3.13.2023: French Peer Tutor Eliza reviews 3 films by French filmmaker Jean Renoir
Monday, March 13, 2023
If you’re looking for escapist films, look no further than three films by renowned French filmmaker Jean Renoir: The Golden Coach (1953), French Cancan (1955), and Elena and Her Men (1956).
Images of Istanbul, Chicago, and Paris
2.2.2023: French Peer Tutor Hazal writes about multilingual life
Thursday, February 2, 2023
I don't remember learning English at all. I don't remember learning Turkish either. To me it feels automatic, as if I have always known how to perfectly read and write in these two languages. But my experience with learning French was very different.
Images from Les 7 Vies De Léa
12.07.2022: French Peer Tutor Izzy Reviews Les 7 Vies De Léa.
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
The Seven Lives of Léa is a French supernatural-drama TV show made in 2022 about a young girl named Léa who finds a body while she is at a party with her friends.
German Peer Tutor Alex Writes about the Love Parade festival and electronic music in Berlin. Photo of 2022 Love Parade taken by Alex.
11.30.2022: German Peer Tutor Alex Writes about the Love Parade in Berlin
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
I had never witnessed such an event in my life before. It was so cool.
French Peer Tutor Ari reviews Breathless
11.3.2022: French Peer Tutor Ari reviews the film Breathless by Jean-Luc Godard
Thursday, November 3, 2022
Humorous, captivating, provocative, and breathtaking, these are a few words that can describe the film that is Jean-Luc Godard’s finest work À bout de souffle / Breathless (1960).
10.19.2022: French Peer Tutor Izzy reviews the film La Haine (1995)
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
The film is beautiful and elegant, while still capturing themes like racism, police brutality, drug use and anger.
10.3.2022: Alex's Summer Trip to Germany (Part 4)
Monday, October 3, 2022
I traveled all over Germany this summer and this is the tail-end of my travels.
French Peer Tutor Ari Reviews La Planete Sauvage by Rene Laloux
9.30.2022: Alex's Summer Trip to Germany (Part 3)
Friday, September 30, 2022
After three and half fun weeks in Berlin, I started my mini-tour around Germany.
French Peer Tutor Ari Reviews La Planete Sauvage by Rene Laloux
9.23.2022: Alex's Summer Trip to Germany (Part 2)
Friday, September 23, 2022
I attended the Humboldt Institute in Berlin and loved every second of it.
French Peer Tutor Ari Reviews La Planete Sauvage by Rene Laloux
9.23.2022: Alex's Summer Trip to Germany (Part 1)
Friday, September 23, 2022
After being in Berlin for almost a month, I feel like I have a nice basic grasp of the city.
French Peer Tutor Ari Reviews La Planete Sauvage by Rene Laloux
5.4.2022: French Peer Tutor Susy discusses “À bout de souffle”
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
“How could a movie be filmed in an ambulance?” These were the words spoken by my cousin; she was confused as her sister told her about the plot of a new movie that just came out.
French Peer Tutor Ari Reviews La Planete Sauvage by Rene Laloux
5.4.2022: Alex on Language and Family History
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
As a kid, I freaked out a couple of babysitters because I used to sleep talk in English, Spanish, and German.
French Peer Tutor Ari Reviews La Planete Sauvage by Rene Laloux
4.8.2022: Ari reviews the French film La Planète Sauvage (Fantastic Planet)
Friday, April 8, 2022
La Planéte Sauvage or Fantastic Planet in English, by René Laloux is a surreal animation created in 1973, based on the novel ‘Oms en série’by Stefan Wul.
2.10.2022: Ley writes about being an in-class Language Learning Assistant
Thursday, February 10, 2022
The LCLC is pioneering a brand new Language Learning Assistant program this semester, and I absolutely love being a part of it. The LLA program places experienced peer tutors into beginner language classes once a week as resources for students.
5 art pieces by Christo and Jeanne-Claude
11.23.2021- Susy on the Art of Christo and Jeanne Claude
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Bulgarian artist Christo Vladimirov Javacheff and his French - Moroccan wife, Jeanne Claude, impacted the world with their out-of-the-ordinary, yet aesthetically pleasing art installations...
11.15.2021 - Alex on learning about East Germany
Monday, November 15, 2021
Day to day life in East Germany in the 1980s was a mystery to me before I saw the documentaries Flüstern und Schreien (Dieter Schumann, 1988) and Unsere Kinder (Roland Steiner, 1989).
11.3.2021: Alison reviews the film Adú (2020)
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
I recently watched Adú (2020), directed by Salvador Calvo, on Netflix. I decided to watch this film as I did not know much about the struggles African migrants encounter on their venture to Europe.
10.18.2021: Lars writes on gender-neutral language in French and beyond
Monday, October 18, 2021
While gender neutral language in French is discouraged formally, it is not a deterrent for transgender people in need of an alternative to typically male and female pronouns and agreements.
9.24.2021: Alex Reviews the Film "The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch" (2018)
Friday, September 24, 2021
I recently watched The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch (Michael Steiner, 2018) on Netflix. The movie is a comedy that follows the main character Motti and his struggle to meet his family’s expectations.
9.16.2021: Laurie on the Band Kassav and Zouk Music
Thursday, September 16, 2021
This blog about Kassav and Zouk is in honor of the great Jacob Desvarieux and the band Kassav for their amazing work and for bringing happiness to the lives of so many people around the world. The French Caribbean band was formed in 1979.
7.30.2021: Valeria Explains Why Reading El Quijote Wasn’t So Bad After All
Friday, July 30, 2021
I try to remember when was the first time I had ever heard about Don Quijote de La Mancha, and, truth is, I don’t remember at all. It is one of those things that just sort of existed around me.
7.19.2021 - Samie puts her Spanish skills to work
Monday, July 19, 2021
As part of my journey to become a doctor, I’m interning at Lurie Children’s Hospital and it has taught me the importance of Spanish in a clinical setting.
7.16.2021 Celeste Bakes Homemade Conchas
Friday, July 16, 2021
The history of Conchas can be traced back to the Spanish conquest of the aztecs. The Spanish wanted to establish Mexico City into a European population and introduced the special ingredient to make conchas: wheat, the main ingredient of the concha.
7.9.2021 Susy's review of "Ya No Estoy Aquí" (2019)
Friday, July 9, 2021
“No entiendo” (I don’t understand) – these are the words repeated by Ulises (Juan Daniel Garcia), a seventeen year old from Monterrey, Mexico, throughout the coming-of-age drama, “Ya No Estoy Aquí” (I’m No Longer Here).
6.25.2021 Susy's Second Home: How Living in Mexico Brought Her Closer to Her Hispanic Heritage
Friday, June 25, 2021
Recently, I had the opportunity to immerse myself deeper into my culture by spending four months in my dad’s hometown in Calvillo, Aguascalientes, Mexico.
Susy's Music Mix collage includes Jeannette, J Balvin, GIMS, and Maluma
6.9.2021 - Susy's Music Mix: Sharing our love for languages through music
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Today, as I was doing my daily “quehacer” (chores), I was in the mood to throw it back to jams from my parents’ era. I chose a playlist by “Jeanette,” a Spanish pop singer from the 70’s/80’s.
5.27.2021 - Celeste on Different Styles of "Mole"
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Depending on where the mole is from, the taste differs: sweet, sour, spicy. Mole translates to “sauce” which can contain many different ingredients like fruit, chili peppers, nuts, cinnamon, or cumin.
5.7.2021 - Mayra reviews the Spanish film "In Family I Trust"
Friday, May 7, 2021
Bea is a young Spanish architect from Barcelona who, in addition to attempting to get her projects promoted, aspires to build things that hold sentimental value to her, including a childhood treehouse.
5.7.2021 - Mayra writes about ají peppers
Friday, May 7, 2021
Aji is a red/yellow chili pepper commonly used in Latin America. It is a very popular condiment in Ecuador where it is used in the form of a salsa.
5.4.2021 - Alex's language tips for the summer!
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
While your German lectures may be over for this semester, you can still continue practicing and studying German!
5.4.2021 - Lainey on the dialects of the world!
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Oftentimes, when our teacher would introduce us to a new noun, students who were native speakers would disagree with her on the translation of the word. When she told us that the word for ‘lunch’ is ‘almuerzo,’ they replied that it was ‘lonche.’
4.30.2021 - Lars on Learning French
Friday, April 30, 2021
It was really frustrating because I worked really hard and still always felt like I wasn’t where I was supposed to be. I am so glad now, five years later, that I stuck with it.
4.30.2021 - Daisy on her language learning experience
Friday, April 30, 2021
I didn’t start to learn English until the second grade, when I was placed in a bilingual classroom because at the school I attended before I was in a Spanish-only classroom.
4.30.2021 - Mautise reviews the horror film The Binding
Friday, April 30, 2021
I must begin by saying I am a horror movie fanatic. At one point, I thought I had watched all the horror movies that were on Netflix.
4.28.2021 - Susy reviews Sentinelle (2021)
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Have you heard of the Netflix original film, Sentinelle? This action drama was directed by Julien Leclercq and released in early March 2021.
4.26.2021 - Nate reviews the movie La Habanera (1937)
Monday, April 26, 2021
Detlef Sierck’s (aka Douglas Sirk) film La Habanera (1937) was a film produced by the Nazis and is considered a propaganda film, thus it must be approached with a critical eye.
4.22.2021 - Alex's review of "Sarajevo"
Thursday, April 22, 2021
Do you like period pieces? Do you enjoy learning about history? Have you ever wondered about how the death of one man caused the start of World War One? Then Sarajevo (2014) is a movie for you.
4.21.2021 - Valeria writes about Zacatecas
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
As a native to the state of Zacatecas, nothing makes me more proud than to see my beloved state and its cultural heritage and history be recognized at an international level.
4.19.2021 - Laurie on Louis de Funès and Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez
Monday, April 19, 2021
When I was growing up my family and I would sometimes watch films from a French actor named Louis de Funès. Although I didn’t like these old, black and white (most of the time) movies back then, I recently rediscovered them and found myself laughing.
4.19.21 - Emma on Spezi
Monday, April 19, 2021
Spezi is a cola-based drink that has a hint of orange, it sounds simple, I know, but something about it is just so good!
4.15.2021 - Sofiya's First Trip to Italy
Thursday, April 15, 2021
In Rome, we visited the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and, of course, the Vatican.
4.13.2021 Leah's Review of Les Adieux à la Reine
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Based on the novel of the same name by Chantal Thomas, Les Adieux à la Reine is a story told from the perspective of Sidonie Labourde (played by Léa Seydoux), reader for Marie Antoinette (played by Diane Kruger).
4.09.2021 - Lars on laïcité
Friday, April 9, 2021
Most French citizens will tell you that laïcité is a backbone to not only French politics, but society as well– but what is laïcité?
3.17.2021 - Lainey on Latin-American Punk Rock
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, punk exploded across Latin America, most notably in Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, and especially Peru.
Lainey on the Corridos music genre; group of Corridos Tumbados singers, digitally drawn
3.15.2021 - Lainey on the "Corridos" music genre!
Monday, March 15, 2021
Trap corridos, or "corridos tumbados", combine the classical corrido elements with new-wave trap and hip-hop music, or reggaetón.
3.12.2021 - Mautise on Beginning French Peer Tutoring
Friday, March 12, 2021
Once I have my first student I hope to immerse them in French so they in a sense fall in love with learning the language as much as I do.
3.11.2021: Make Vegan Milchreis with Alex!
Thursday, March 11, 2021
My favorite German dessert is Milchreis, which directly translates to “milk rice.”
3.9.2021 - Laurie on Monuments and fortresses in Haiti
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
During this trip, I was able to learn more about my country’s history and my heritage and I would love to share some of the places I visited in The Land of High mountains, Haiti.
3.1.2021 - Megan recommends the film Adú
Monday, March 1, 2021
French and Spanish students, check out Adú on Netflix: the dialogue is in both Spanish and French!
2.23.2021 - Valeria on a fun, cultural performance
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Growing up in a Mexican household in Zacatecas, Mexico, I was always surrounded by all sorts of music, particularly the very varied styles of folk music from all around Mexico.
2.22.2021 - Nate reviews a German film, Der Ölprinz (1965)
Monday, February 22, 2021
Advanced German speakers looking for a real classic film, “Ein Film mit Herz und Humor” and quite a bit of action–here’s one for you!
2.19.2021 - Nikki on Naperville's Paris Bistro
Friday, February 19, 2021
The restaurant itself is small and intimate with low lighting in the evening that’s perfect for a date night or a girls’ night out.
02.17.2021 - Samie recommends Como Caído del Cielo
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
I watched this film with my father, who is a huge fan of Pedro Infante, and since the film featured some of Infante’s songs, my dad was hit with lots of nostalgia!
02.09.2021 - Laurie recommends Case Départ movie
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Case Départ is a comedy/fantasy about sibling rivalry and slavery. That doesn’t sound very funny, but it really is!
2.8.2021 - Samie talks about the history and significance of piñatas
Monday, February 8, 2021
Piñatas come in a variety of colorful shapes and you have most likely seen at least one Peppa Pig piñata in your life, but did you know that the original piñatas were probably from China?
2.4.2021 - Samie recommends “Street Food: Latin America - Oaxaca” and also memelas…
Thursday, February 4, 2021
If you’re like me and consider yourself a foodie, then you should definitely check out “Street Food”!
1.27.2021 - Susy discusses trilingualism
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Story Time: Un acte de foi: How I ended up working at a French Immersion Preschool
Juan Blog
12.4.2020- Juan Reflects on His Experience as a Spanish Peer Tutor
Friday, December 4, 2020
My time here working as a Spanish tutor for the Language and Cultural Learning Center (LCLC) has been an unforgettable experience.
Sofiya's Blog
12.1.2020 - Sofiya on Parma
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
The cuisine of the Emilia-Romagna region, where Parma is located, is full of delicacies. The most famous are the prosciutto di Parma, a kind of cured ham, and Parmesan cheese.
French: where is it spoken?
11.18.2020- Laurie Introduces the French Speaking Countries of the World
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
French is the second most spoken language in the world after English. If you count the flags on the picture above, you will see that French is spoken in 29 countries.
11.12.2020 - Valeria's Pan de Muerto Recipe for Día de Muertos
Thursday, November 12, 2020
In Mexican tradition, every year on November 2nd, Día de Muertos is celebrated. It is tradition to celebrate this day with a traditional sweet bread called Pan de Muerto.
11.11.2020 - Ella reviews "Durante la tormenta" (2018 film)
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Durante la tormenta (The Mirage) is a Spanish movie that was made in 2018. It’s the perfect movie that explores what would happen if you were to make a decision that could change the entire course of your life.
10.29.2020 - Maria on el día de los muertos
Thursday, October 29, 2020
From Oct. 31st to Nov. 2nd every year, el día de los muertos is celebrated. This is a celebration that is traced back to the Aztecs and Mayas. Over 3,000 years, ago this celebration was in honor of Mictecacihuatl “lady of the dead.”
10.21.2020 - Nikki's tips on baking vanilla macarons
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Even though this year has not been ideal, the persistence of remote learning this semester enables us to continue onward in the kitchen.
10.20.2020 - Juan on Bilingual Life in the U.S.
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
My parents immigrated to the United States for a better life for my siblings and me. When they arrived in Chicago from Guadalajara, Mexico, they spoke little to no English.
10.14.2020 - Jordan on Her German Experience
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Hi! My name is Jordan, I am a German peer Tutor and I am here to share my foreign language experience in my life and why I stuck with German all this time! I started speaking German technically when I was in K4.
10.9.2020- Laurie with a Fried Plantain Recipe!
Friday, October 9, 2020
In this blog I will explain how I make a very simple but amazing side dish known as Fried plantain (Haitian style). It is a very popular side dish in the Caribbean.
9.16.2020- Laurie on her first semester French tutoring online
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
I am excited today to talk about my experience tutoring French online for the first time in Fall 2020. As all of you know, most UIC classes are being taught remotely this semester and so is peer tutoring.
5.4.2020 - Nikki on Cooking Casserole-Roasted Chicken
Monday, May 4, 2020
In honor of the final week of the semester, I decided to celebrate my love for French culture by preparing a traditional roast chicken recipe from Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
5.4.2020 - Laurie on French and Haitian Creole
Monday, May 4, 2020
In Haiti there are two official languages French and Haitian Creole, these languages are my first two languages and the languages I feel the most comfortable speaking especially when I’m upset. I think I get this from my parents.
5.1.2020 - Andrea on Tips and Farewell
Friday, May 1, 2020
Today is my last day as a UIC undergraduate student. It’s a little sad but also exciting. However, I am not leaving without sharing a little bit of my wisdom.
4.29.2020 - Laurie on majoring in French
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Multiple times I get asked questions like: “What made you want to become a French peer Tutor?”, “Why are you majoring in French and Francophone studies when it’s already one of your native languages?”, “Why French, why now, why here”?
4.23.2020 - Maria on Spanish across Fields
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Learning more than one language helps a person stand out when applying for a job, especially today where English is no longer the predominant language in the Chicago area.
4.22.2020 - David on the French Festival of Music
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
The French Festival of Music takes place in June all over France, and even in neighboring countries since 1982. The streets come alive with music, including bands, singers, musicians, drummers, DJs and more.
4.16.2020 - Nikki on Cooking Crepes
Thursday, April 16, 2020
This week I couldn’t help but make a classic French dish from Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking (Child, Bertholle, Beck 191): pâte à crêpes (crepes).
4.16.2020 - David on Volunteering
Thursday, April 16, 2020
There are French businesses, French immigrants, and other Francophone speakers who work and live in Chicago. Becoming involved in local activities is a great way to meet people in that community and to practice your language.
4.9.2020 - Nikki on trying out new French recipes
Thursday, April 9, 2020
In the midst of all the chaos happening in the world right now and #stayathome, I have decided to venture out into the dark, mysterious depths of my house that is… my kitchen.
3.13.2020 - Andrea on Espanglish
Friday, March 13, 2020
I was grateful that Spanish was spoken at home because it allowed me to practice spoken Spanish; however, since I stopped reading and writing in Spanish I knew those areas were not as good as they could be.
3.11.2020 - Ella on Learning Spanish
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Through more and more years of studying Spanish, I learned that Tagalog was an amalgamation of Spanish and the other tribal languages of the natives.
3.5.2020 - Nikki on "Médecins Sans Frontières" or "Doctors Without Borders"
Thursday, March 5, 2020
As an undergraduate student with her heart set on both medicine and the French language, I’ve been advised to choose between the two, because “it is not necessary to know French as a medical practitioner.”
3.2.2020 - The Importance of Being Fluent in Language(s)
Monday, March 2, 2020
More and more jobs are seeking employees who are fluent in a second language, as this creates a more diverse-friendly environment for everyone.
2.21.2020 - Ariana on La musica italiana: the greatest perk of learning Italian
Friday, February 21, 2020
Italian culture is thoroughly a beautiful one–the food, the landmarks, the music. Italian music has produced some of the most influential international artists, such as Mina, Andrea Bocelli, Fabrizio D’Andre – and now, Ghali.
2.10.2020 - Spanish-speaking countries: many different cultures to discover
Monday, February 10, 2020
There are about 21 countries in the world whose official language (or one of the languages spoken) is Spanish! Growing up in Mexico I was completely exposed to the Spanish language and immersed in Mexican culture in a different way than in Chicago.
2.6.2020 - Anye on cultural awareness
Thursday, February 6, 2020
I’ve chosen to become a Spanish Peer Tutor because I want to be able to study, practice, and expand other students’ and my own knowledge of the Spanish language and its diverse culture.
2.4.2020 - Ariana on the Joys of Italian Grammar
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
This week in class we have been reviewing the congiuntivo (subjunctive) and I have been meeting recently with a few 104 students during my tutoring hours who were struggling with this verb tense.
2.3.2020 - Lily on German Cinema
Monday, February 3, 2020
I work with German film and last night, I read a fantastic book on Weimar Cinema and shell-shocked postwar culture.
1.30.2020 - Natz on learning French
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Since I knew two languages prior to learning French it became easier for me to understand but I still struggled with minor details of the language because learning a new language is difficult.
11.20.2019 - Angela discusses all the languages in her life
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
My first exposure to a foreign language was in kindergarten. My parents enrolled me in an Italian class at the school that was right before my kindergarten class.
11.6.2019 - First Day On The Job
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Today I had my first German client come in!