UWI St Augustine’s Centre for Language Learning (CLL) is hosting a programme designed to give students an experience of foreign cultures to accompany their language studies. This culture programme, beginning in March, will expose students to foreign literature, games, food, craft, and even activities for mental and emotional health.
“We are redefining how language and culture are engaged,” says Ms Janine Lutchman-Nkouetang, a Chinese language tutor at CLL, “moving learning beyond the classroom and into the wider community.”
A key feature of the CLL cultural programme is the Foreign Language Book Club, running until June. Each session centres on a literary work by an international author, paired with an exploration of the author’s country and cultural context.
For book club participants, the experience offers more than literary analysis. As Kelsie Lewis, a student from the Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA), reflects: “Travel isn’t always about the flight; sometimes it’s about the immersion. The CLL Foreign Language Book Club is a passport to new cultures, stories, and vibrant perspectives. It’s a joy to ‘visit’ these countries alongside such a thoughtful group of readers.”
The next session, on March 27, will focus on the Central African nation of Cameroon.
The programme also includes The Language of Calm, a collaborative initiative with The UWI Counselling and Psychological Services Department (CAPS), that offers participants opportunities to de-stress through culturally inspired craft and artistic activities from around the world, highlighting the connection between language, culture, art, and well-being.
Lutchman-Nkouetang says these activities contribute to an experience that “invites curiosity, creativity, and cultural connection.”
Perhaps the ultimate example of this is the CLL Open House (scheduled for March 13 and 14), an event showcasing all languages taught at the centre. Activities will include interactive games, introductory language sessions, live food demonstrations, performances, and hands-on cultural workshops. A dedicated Friday session will be reserved for primary and secondary schools, giving younger students early exposure to language learning in an engaging environment.
Shabana Mayers, a lab technician at the Faculty of Medical Sciences and a frequent attendee, describes the open house as “a reminder that language learning is not merely about grammar and vocabulary, but also about culture, identity, and human connection”.
That’s quite a range of activities, but the centre has plans for even more:
“We want to host creative, culture-filled events like Sip & Paints with a twist, where participants can enjoy art, conversation, and cultural exploration in a relaxed setting,” says Lucthman-Nkouetang.
“Through this revised cultural programme,” she adds, “the CLL is showing our commitment to accessibility, cultural engagement, and community outreach. Language learning is not simply an academic subject. It is a cultural experience open to all.”
Schools, organisations, and departments interested in participating or hosting a session are invited to contact the CLL by email at (CLL.FHE@sta.uwi.edu).
