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LSC-Tomball Modern Language Department

Lone Star College-Tomball offers students the opportunity to develop relevant skills necessary for success in college-level courses. Currently, the Modern Languages Department offers classes in German, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish. Arabic

Instructor: Maurice Abboud
 
HMaurice Abboudello, my name is Maurice Abboud and I am originally from Lebanon. I am a polyglot and I am a native speaker of Arabic. I have over 20 years of teaching experience in face face-to-facerid, and online courses. Teaching languages is my passion. The following are a few reasons one might consider learning Arabic.

Arabic is the fifth most commonly spoken language in the world. Arabic is spoken by more than 280 million people as a native language in the world.

There is high a demand and low supply for Arabic speakers in the Western world. The Middle East continues to be an important region in the world economy and in international affairs, but there is a shortage of Westerners who speak Arabic. More native Arabic speakers are learning English, but the majority still speak Arabic only. Mastery of the Arabic language will provide opportunities to LSC-Tomball students, in business and trade, energy, world affairs and diplomacy, tourism, education, translation, and interpretation.

Arabic-speaking nations are a fast-growing market for trade in the global economy.  The Arab region, with its rapidly growing population, provides a huge export market for goods and services. With a GDP of over 600 billion dollars annually, the region has huge opportunities for investment in areas like construction, finance, trade, telecom, and tourism. To do business effectively, one must understand the language and culture of the region.

The Arab-speaking world has a rich cultural heritage and Arabic is a bridge to other Eastern languages. The Arab world has a very rich and diverse culture with its unique art, music, cuisine, history, and literature. Arabic is also a bridge that leads to learning other languages in the Near East and in the Middle East region. About fifty percent of the vocabulary in the Persian (Farsi) language is composed of Arabic words. Similar rules also apply to Turkish and Urdu. Hebrew is also related to Arabic, which makes it easier to grasp the grammatical and semantic concepts in Hebrew.
 

Chinese

Instructor: Bo Jiang
 
Bo JiangChinese is the most widely spoken language in the world. About 1.4 billion people, which is almost 16% of the world's population, speak Chinese. Additionally, Chinese history is rich and its culture is one of the oldest in the world. Learning Chinese is a to open your mind to a new world.

Learning Chinese is easier than you think. It has a logical pattern, less grammar than most Western languages, and pictographic characters. Learning Chinese may also open employment opportunities for you as China is one of the United States' trading partners. Many US companies do business in China and have long-term investments. Business leaders are looking for people who speak Chinese and operate successfully in a Chinese cultural context.

Let Mr. Jiang guide you to a new culture and a new language. He has worked in 7 countries. He will use his schooling, living, and working experience to expand your understanding of Chinese life.
 
German

Instructor: Brenda Bauske

My naBrenda Bauskeme is Brenda Bauske. I have been an adjunct professor of German at LSC-Tomball for eleven years for both face-to-face and online courses. I currently teach Beginning German One (German 1411) online. My career as an educator teaching German spans twenty-three years at a variety of institutions: a public junior high, public high schools, a language immersion school, and LSC-Tomball. I am from Wisconsin and attended Ripon College where I majored in German and minored in English. I spent my junior year in college studying abroad in Bonn, Germany, at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhlems Universität. I also have a master's degree in German Studies from the University of Northern Iowa. During my graduate school studies, I participated in UNI's Study Abroad Program in Klagenfurt, Austria, for six summers.

One of my greatest joys is travel. I have traveled extensively all over Europe. The German-speaking countries are my favorite destinations. I encourage all of my students to travel in their futures. I firmly believe in the value of travel for learning and personal development and subscribe to the messages in two of my favorite quotations: "Travel is the best teacher" and "Travel is an endless university." Since we can't board a plane and fly off to Germany together at the start of a course, I hope instead to provide a passport to learning and academic adventures for all of my students.

My love for all things German comes from my father, a native German who emigrated to the USA when he was in his twenties. I have relatives in Germany whom I visit often; truly, Germany is my second home.

GERM 1411 – Beginning German I – includes beginner's pronunciation, oral practice, conversation, development of listening comprehension, basic principles of grammar, simple exercises in composition, and easy reading which includes cultural material. Topics covered include the alphabet, numbers, greetings/farewells, informal and formal discourse, the weather, student university life, hobbies and leisure time, friends, family, and daily life.

GERM 1412 - Beginning German II - the only language requirement is successful completion of GERM 1411 or the passing of a placement exam. As you will discover, some students will have a more extensive background in German or other languages, while others have just begun their study of German. Whatever your status, I find that each student always has unique insights and experiences to bring to the class. I value your input and participation and encourage you to take an active role in the class. I am always open to suggestions and resources.

Japanese

Instructor: Naoka Okazaki Brogan

Japan isNaoka Okazaki Brogan a mountainous country filled with beautiful nature and enormous, crowded cities. If you want to explore Japan, I can help you learn many aspects.

In the Japanese classes offered at LSC-Tomball, we will learn reading, writing, and practice intensive speaking and listening. No prior knowledge of Japanese is required. Our goal is for you to be able to understand and communicate using basic Japanese. In general, the classes will have 4 quizzes, 4 chapter tests, 2 oral exams, and 2 projects. Don’t be afraid. You will have many opportunities to practice during classes. Class attendance and keeping up with assigned homework is very important. You will receive homework in every class; homework assignments are the key to success and count for a major portion of your final grade. Also, our class includes many fun activities like cultural-related games with prizes, food tasting, and calligraphy. I’m happy for you to come join our class!

Spanish

Instructor: Héctor González 

Héctor González¡Hola!  Soy el  professor Héctor González 

A South Texas native, Hector grew up in the border cities of Brownsville, in the US and Matamoros, in Mexico. He attended elementary and middle school on the Mexican side of the border, therefore, his native language is Spanish. Spanish became his first language and his passion. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a Master’s in Latin American Literature, both from The University of Texas System.  At the age of 23, he became a college Spanish instructor and ever since he has been enjoying everything about the Spanish language and culture and shares all his experience with his students. 

Héctor enjoys writing songs in Spanish, working out and traveling. His dog Taco is the love of his life and they both currently live between Texas and Monterrey, Mexico.

Instructor: Brianne Rusk

Brianne RuskMy name is Brianne Rusk, and I am an adjunct professor at Lone Star College-Tomball with 18 years of experience in education.  I also teach high school beginner and dual credit courses and adjunct with our local community college.  I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Science from Texas Tech University before later adding a Master of Arts in Teaching Languages from the University of Southern Mississippi. 

Here at Lone Star College, I teach introductory Spanish 1411 and 1412 online.  In those courses, students are introduced to the Spanish language through a comprehensive program that solidifies basic vocabulary and grammar while combining those elements to better express one's thoughts through speaking and writing.  I hope to give all my students a solid foundation that lays the groundwork for them to pursue language learning in the future

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