$4.6M Foreign Language lab for UG

The University of Guyana and the Chinese Embassy Tuesday afternoon signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a Foreign Language laboratory to the tune of $4.6 million.

The University has already identified a building to be rehabilitated to house the lab which is expected to open in time for the new academic year.

The grant from the Chinese Embassy will cover the procurement of equipment and materials.

Among the languages which will be offered are French, Spanish and Portuguese. Efforts are being made to develop programmes for Mandarin and Dutch.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University Dr Barbara Reynolds said the intention of the lab is to allow a higher degree of immersion of foreign languages.

Representing the Chinese Embassy was the Deputy Chief of Mission Mr Chen Xilai, who hopes that the lab creates opportunities for students to truly learn a second language which can allow for better communication, relationship building, and sharing of ideas regionally as well as globally.

The lab will be opened to all students of the University of Guyana, including part-time students who are not particularly studying a programme that requires a foreign language.