Alabama World Languages Association

Sweet Home Alabama:
Language and Community

Hosted by the University of Mobile February 2-3, 2018.

Program PDF

Friday, February 2

12:00-7:00 Registration Open

1:45-4:15 Optional Trolley Tour Excursions**

4:00-7:00 Exhibits Open

4:30-5:00 Reception & AWLA Member Business Meeting

5:00 -6:00 Opening Plenary: Mr. Thomas Tugulescu

6:10-6:30 Round 1 (Mini Sessions)

6:40- 7:00 Round 2 (Mini Sessions)

7:00 Dinner On Your Own

9:00-10:00 AWLA Social Hour at Holiday Inn (Saraland)

Saturday, February 3

7:30- 12:30 Registration Open

7:30-12:30 Exhibits Open

7:30-9:30 Breakfast With Exhibitors

8:00- 9:15 Chapter Meetings

9:15-9:25 Break With Exhibitors

9:25-10:15 Round 3

10:25-11:15 Round 4

11:25-12:15 Round 5

12:30-2:00 Lunch & Guest Speaker: Dr. Matthew L. Downs

2:15-3:05 Round 6

3:15-4: 05 Round 7

4:15-5:00 Closing Plenary: Dr. Mary Risner

6:30 Mardi Gras Parades

Sunday, February 4

8:00 -9:30 AWLA Executive Board Meeting

*AWLA reserves the right to make changes to the schedule, program and highlighted sessions.
**Additional fee, optional

We Are Excited To Welcome Keynote Speaker Dr. Mary Risner

Classroom and Community: Building Linkages

Dr. Risner (University of Florida) will explore the teaching and learning of language and culture in the context of the community. She will discuss her personal journey with LSP (Languages for Specific Purposes), discuss strategies, and give examples of community connections for incorporation into your classroom.

About Dr. Risner: Mary Risner develops and manages initiatives that integrate the study of world languages and area studies across the curriculum. Throughout her 25 year career in education, she has taught language at a variety of K–16 levels, as well as in corporate environments. Her research interests are in the role of culture and language skills in the workplace and the integration of emerging technologies in the classroom to develop intercultural competence.

Opening Plenary by the French Consulate of Atlanta

Language and Community:
Exploring Diplomacy in the Southeast

Featuring Mr. Thomas Tugulescu, Deputy Cultural Attaché for Educational and University Affairs. After studying at La Rochelle University in southwestern France, Thomas obtained a Master’s degree in European and International studies from Toulouse University. His international profile was confirmed when he chose to teach French at Málaga High School, in Spain. After this “unforgettable experience”, Thomas moved to Auckland, New Zealand where he worked at the international programs and partnership department and got the opportunity to strengthen his experience in the educative field. He then flew off to Brussels to work for two years on the new program Erasmus + and other European policies.

Guest Speaker

Trivia and Tales: Time-Traveling Through Mobile

Featuring Dr. Matthew L. Downs. Dr. Downs is Chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Assistant Professor of History at the University of Mobile. Originally from Athens, Alabama, Downs received his BA in History at Birmingham-Southern College and his MA and PhD at the University of Alabama. His book, Transforming the South (Louisiana State University Press, 2014) discusses the role that federal investment played in the economic modernization of Alabama’s Tennessee Valley, and won the James B. Sulzby Award from the Alabama Historical Association for as the best book published on the history of Alabama. Downs teaches a variety of classes at the University of Mobile, including broad surveys of western and American history and more specific courses on the history of the Alabama, the South, and the modern United States. He lives in Daphne with his wife, Sarah, and two children, Graham (5) and Olive (2).

Optional Excursion: Friday

Trolley Tour Downtown Mobile Antebellum Architecture Tour

Lonnie Burnett, PhD
Vice Provost of the University of Mobile
Dean of College of A&S, and Professor of History

Since the city of Mobile did not experience major damage during the American Civil War, many pre-1860 structures survive today. This architectural tour will feature everything from stately Greek Revival and Italianate residences, to classic Federal government buildings and places of worship, to stark reminders of an urban slave community. There is a minimum number of registrations for this tour to make as well as a limited number of seats on the trolley. We expect a great turnout so secure your spot today! Tours leave from conference registration area. Be sure to be there by 1:45-1:50.

Optional Excursion: Friday

Trolley Tour: Alabama's Gateway With the World: Behind the scenes at the State of Alabama Port Authority

Sevints Nuriyeva, PhD
Professor of Global Business
University of Mobile

Professor Nuriyeva will accompany our host from the Department of Commerce for a behind the scenes tour of the Port of Mobile, Alabama’s Port. Please note, once inside the Port this will be a driving tour for Homeland Security reasons. Tours leave from conference registration area. There is a minimum number of registrations for this tour to make as well as a limited number of seats on the trolley. We expect a great turnout so secure your spot today! Tours leave from conference registration area. Be sure to be there by 1:45-1:50.