Learn
About our Native Speaker Program
A modern, comfortable structure built in 1970, the
International House ("I-House") is a residence for
American and
international students. Albion students are selected to live in the
I-House because of their interest in modern languages and studying abroad. Language majors
and minors are required to live in the
I-House for at least one semester. The I-House has four
living units: French House,
German House, Spanish House, and Japanese House. Each student shares a room with another
student and a bathroom (with a shower) with three students, all of the
same sex. The principal goals of the I-House are to provide:
-
The opportunity for residents to practice their language
skills in a residential setting by
speaking it with other students and the native speaker teaching
assistants in the language houses.
-
Programming
that promotes knowledge and understanding of other nations,
cultures, and world events.
There are Native
Speakers of each language in each of the language houses.
Native Speakers in the past have come from Austria, Argentina,
Belgium, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Mexico, Peru and Spain. The
Native Speakers help students with their language skills and arrange weekly activities in each
language. Residents of I-House pledge to attend weekly language house
meetings and bi-weekly meetings for the entire I-House. The I-House
meetings are focused on international issues - or just
fun activities! Some of these have included talks by invited guest-speakers,
or a scavenger
hunt (with clues in French, German, and Spanish). Throughout the school
year there are also three special dinners, each one focused on
either French, German and Hispanic or Spanish cuisine as well three
special cultural events, which are organized by the residents and
the Native Speakers.
Selection Process
Each spring
and fall
Residential
Life conducts a procedure for determining housing for the following
semester. Please contact them for more information about becoming an
I-House Resident.
