Residents of Trinidad and Tobago of all ages and skill levels are in invited to enter the Culture Through My Eyes Art Competition. Inspired by the book, Unearthing Traditions: Stories of Language & Culture Volume One, this contest encourages individuals to reflect on the various connections between cultures. Submissions should reflect the language(s), tradition(s), aspects of everyday life, or the beauty of a people and/or place.
HOW TO ENTER
- Create a drawing (digitally or by hand) that captures the theme, Culture Through My Eyes, and represents one of the countries featured in the book, connecting it with Trinidad and Tobago. Countries included are: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador (The Americas); Nigeria, Mozambique (Africa); China, Japan (Asia); France, Portugal, Spain (Europe).
- Complete the Entry Form. Pictures of hand-drawn pieces must be submitted on the entry form. Digital submissions must be uploaded to the entry form.
- Drop/mail in your submission (hand-drawn or digital) to the address below.
| Attn: Ms Janine Lutchman Centre for Language Learning The University of the West Indies St Augustine Campus |
We look forward to seeing culture through your eyes!
GUIDELINES
- Submissions must be original work.
- Submissions must be accompanied by a short paragraph (80-100 words) explaining your depiction of the cultural connection. This information will be displayed as the artist’s statement in the exhibition.
- For hand-drawn pieces, all forms will be accepted: oil painting, watercolour painting, gouache painting, Chinese-style painting, acrylic painting, printmaking, comic style, sketching, etc.
- Medium and formats: digital artwork (jpeg, png), pictures of hand-drawn artwork (jpeg, png). Minimum image resolution: 1,200 × 1,200 px (or equivalent print resolution).
- Orientation: portrait or landscape accepted.
- Size: letter (8.5 x 11 inches) or legal (8.5 x 14 inches).
- Save file in the following format: LastName_FirstName_Country_Category. e.g. “Smith_Jane_Japan_HandDrawn.jpg” or “Jones_Sarah_Colombia_Digital.png”
- Deadline: All entries must be received by 4:00PM on June 30, 2025. Submission period: June 1-30, 2025. Winners will be announced on July 18, 2025.
JUDGING CRITERIA
The artwork must be an original piece that you created. No AI generated artwork will be accepted. Judging will be based on the following:
- Relevance to the theme (40%) – clarity of the cultural connection
- Creativity & Originality (30%)
- Artistic Skill & Technique (20%)
- Overall Impact (10%)
PRIZE CATEGORIES
| CATEGORY 1 | CATEGORY 2 | CATEGORY 3 |
| 1st Place Winner – Digital Artwork | Best Connection between T&T and the Americas | Social Media Prize – Your artwork will be posted to the CLL’s Instagram & Facebook accounts for a public vote. |
| 1st Place Winner – Hand-drawn Artwork | Best Connection between T&T and Africa | |
| Best Connection between T&T and Asia | ||
| Best Connection between T&T and Europe |
TERMS & CONDITIONS
- All work must be original and created by the entrant.
- Entrants retain copyright; contest organisers may feature submissions in promotions, with credit.
- By entering, you grant permission for your artwork to be displayed online and in print.
- Participants may submit more than one piece of artwork, provided that each submission represents a country from a different geographic region as listed (The Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe).
Questions? Contact Ms Janine Lutchman at janine.lutchman@uwi.edu.
The Centre for Language Learning is pleased to announce the release of a unique collection of stories, which was launched on April 11, 2025. This captivating series showcases tales from across the globe, shedding light on diverse cultural practices, traditions, and the perspectives that emerge when people engage with them.
It features faculty and alumni of the Faculty of Humanities and Education: Dr Nicole Roberts (Senior Lecturer, Spanish and Director, CLL), Ms Janine Lutchman (Mandarin Chinese Tutor), Dr Diego Mideros Camargo (Lecturer, Spanish at the CLL), Ms Mathilde Dallier (Assistant Lecturer, French at the CLL and PhD candidate Linguistics), Dr Oscar Bazán Rodriguez (Lecturer, Spanish), Ms Sandra Castro Carmona (Visiting Lecturer, Spain), Dr Adonis Díaz Fernández (Instructor, Spanish), Dr Jo-Anne S. Ferreira (Senior Lecturer, Linguistics), Ms Paola Palma Rojas (Instructor, Spanish and PhD candidate, Linguistics), Mr Sean Samad (Adjunct Lecturer, Brazilian Studies), and Ms Avah Atherton (Freelancer and Masters student).
Each story invites readers to explore the beauty of intercultural experiences, promoting understanding, appreciation, and the joy of discovering our shared humanity. From language enthusiasts, cultural explorers to anyone who loves a good story, this book has something for you! Copies are available at Charran’s Book Store nationwide and at the Centre for Language Learning. Pre-order your copy here.
Keep up to date with more information on this series by following its Instagram account: @unearthingtraditionstt.
Call for Submissions
At the CLL, we recognise that all cultures are unique and valuable, and by celebrating them, we hope to, not only preserve the traditions described, but also create a more inclusive and vibrant world where all individuals feel seen, heard and appreciated. We are therefore pleased to invite submissions for the second volume of the book series, Unearthing Traditions: Stories of Language and Culture. Do you have a flare for writing? Are you passionate about languages and culture? Then, join us in celebrating cultures and traditions of the languages taught at the Centre for Language Learning (CLL) at the UWI, St Augustine.
This book series seeks to promote diversity, inclusivity, and understanding through glimpses of culture. If you ask the average Trinidadian about their culture, you might hear vivid descriptions of carnival, steelpan or Divali. Ask a Tobagonian and you’re likely to be told about Heritage or Blue Food Festivals. It is the fusion of these elements, and more, that births our Trinbagonian identity. It is the understanding of these nuanced narratives that plays a role in fostering unity. We look forward to reading your stories and tales of personal voyages.
Share your unique story!
Submission guidelines:
Please submit your entry of 1000-1500 words (entries written in French, Portuguese and Spanish are also welcome) via this link:
For further information, please contact the editors of the series:
- Nicole Roberts (The Americas & Europe-related submissions) – Nicole.Roberts@uwi.edu
- Janine Lutchman (Africa & Asia-related submissions) – Janine.Lutchman@uwi.edu (also copy jan.lutchman17@gmail.com)
Both editors can be contacted for Trinidad and Tobago-related articles.
Deadline: Friday 27th June 2025 at 11:59pm
The Centre for Language Learning is pleased to offer language and culture related workshops for members of the public and industry stakeholders. We designed the following workshops in response to the demand for professional development training initiatives in the education industry, as well as, for rich, cultural experiences, made with the young learner in mind. Interested in a customized workshop? Contact us for more details.
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This 15-hour, blended workshop seeks to empower participants to be able to design and deliver engaging, effective lessons that will inspire the next generation of proficient language learners. You will be introduced to innovative strategies and form a deeper understanding of the characteristics and learning preferences of today’s adolescent learners. Through an exploration of some practical applications of contemporary learning theories, you will discover the potential power of microlearning and social media to revitalize your teaching practices. Apply today!
Facilitator: Mr Brendon Best Delivery: Blended Dates: June 30, July 2, 4, 2025 Time: 5:00 – 8:00 PM Fee: TT$850 |
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Are you a parent whose child is fascinated with East Asian Culture? This workshop is designed especially for him/her. Over the course of 1 week your child will be exposed to the cultures of two major East Asian countries: China and Japan. Participants, aged 10 – 17, will gain rich, linguistic and cultural insights so as to develop their communication skills and respect for other cultures. Early bird discount available until June 13th, 2025! Apply today!
Facilitators: Ms Janine Lutchman, Mrs Shiho Arakawa Delivery: Face-to-face Dates: July 21 – 25, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Fee: TT$750 |
On March 19, 2024, the Director of the CLL, Dr. Nicole Roberts welcomed a delegation from the People’s Republic of China consisting of Her Excellency Huang Xiaowei, Head of Delegation; His Excellency Fang Qiu, Ambassador; Mr. Wang Yulin, Director-General of International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC); Ms. Zhao Yan, Director of IDCPC; Ms. Gao Hao, Secretary of Her Excellency Huang Xiaowei; Ms. Shi Meiqi, interpreter; and Mr. Meng Hongyu, Third Secretary of IDCPC. Campus Principal, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine; Deputy Principal, Professor Indar Ramnarine; Campus Registrar, Dr Dawn-Marie De Four-Gill; and the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education, Professor Elizabeth Walcott-Hackshaw were also in attendance for this official visit.
The hour-long visit commenced with a brief meeting to discuss UWI-China relations, followed by a tour of the Confucius Institute and the CLL, culminating with a few student performances. Students studying Mandarin Chinese as a foreign language requirement in their degree program, and those studying for personal and/or professional reasons, were delighted to showcase their language proficiency through poetry, a video presentation and digital art. At the end of the visit, Her Excellency expressed her heartfelt appreciation to the students and the unwavering dedication of The UWI and the CLL to Mandarin Chinese education in Trinidad and Tobago.
Special thanks to the students of Level 1B and 2B Chinese (online) and CHIN 1007.
Study Abroad at Sophia University
Students are invited to apply for the 3-week summer session in East Asian Studies at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan.
Students from all campuses of The UWI (one student per campus) will join students from the Pacific countries in Tokyo and participate in this academic and cultural program.
Students are required to complete 3 short not-for-credit courses in general areas of Japanese culture, language, history, and also visit places of interest in Tokyo and surrounding towns.
Program tuition, airfare, accommodation, Japanese visa fees, departure tax, if applicable, and a stipend for students during their stay in Tokyo, will be covered.
Interested students should complete and submit the application form by Wednesday, January 31st 2024.
If you qualify for the next round of selection, the Centre for Language Learning will be in touch with further requirements.
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To culminate its 25 anniversary festivities, The Centre for Language Learning (CLL) will host its first ever Foreign Language Talent Show, entitled, CLL’s Got Talent! Its’ aim is to allow CLL students to showcase their artistic talent and passion for their foreign language(s). The theme for this year’s talent show is, “Explore the World with Us!”
We invite students enrolled in a language course at the CLL from September 2022 – December 2023 to audition!
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Guidelines
- The audition period begins on October 23, 2023.
- There are five categories: musical performance, dance performance, spoken word, poetry, comedy.
- One submission per person or group (3 people maximum).
- Performance must be 2 – 3 minutes in length and contain at least 2 sentences in the target language.
- Each submission must be accompanied by a brief description.
- Audition videos should have a minimum resolution of 720p. Ensure there is little to no background noise and good lighting. The video should be shot in landscape and saved as an mp4 file.
- By entering the contest, participants grant the competition organizers the right to post and publish recordings of their performances freely on their social media platforms and in future digital/print publications as they deem fit.
Submission
Deadline: November 10, 2023 at 6:00pm.
- Audition videos should be sent via Wetransfer to Avian.Daly[at]sta.uwi.edu
Judging Criteria
Contestants will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Performance and creativity (40%)
- Entertainment value (30%)
- Use of foreign language (30%)
Prizes
Here are the prizes:
- First prize
- Second prize
- Third prize
- People’s choice
Finalists will be announced on November 20, 2023 and will perform live in the talent show on December 8, 2023.
For further information, contact: Avian.Daly[at]sta.uwi.edu
The Centre has been abuzz with activity as teaching resumed on September 4. Why the significant jump? One reason is the increase in faculty implementation of The UWI’s Foreign Language Requirement policy. Thanks to this initiative, the CLL is now welcoming a larger number of students from the Faculties of Engineering, Science and Technology, Medical Sciences, Social Sciences, Food and Agriculture, Law and Humanities and Education. We are certainly thrilled to deliver our blended courses in Mandarin Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish, to all University students, but especially to those who might have initially undervalued the importance of foreign language learning. Of course, effective language learning requires effort. Having delivered high-quality language courses and promoted a plethora of cultures over the last 25 years, here are our top 7 tips. Not a student of The UWI? That’s okay, you’ll find these tips useful too!
Define your goal(s)
Motivation for learning a foreign language varies from person to person. For the average Joe or Jane, utility might be the determining factor. Learning language X opens up opportunities for international employment, internships, travel or study abroad opportunities. Or, learning language Y means being able to consume a wider variety of social media content. For the more socially inclined, learning another language means making connections with people from different, sometimes unique cultures. And yet for others, language learning is a leisurely activity. Whatever your reason, it is important to establish your objectives before diving in. With your goals clearly defined, you will know how best to charter the course ahead. You may also find that as you accomplish smaller goals along the way, you will be able to keep yourself motivated throughout the journey.
Choose wisely
Certainly we don’t discriminate when it comes to learning other languages. In fact, for us, the more the merrier. But there is a connection between motivation and effective language learning. It begs to reason then, that choosing a language that complements your goals and interests should increase your motivation to succeed. Some are guided by practicality and relevance when choosing a foreign language. Among the top most widely learnt foreign languages are French, Chinese, Spanish, German and Japanese. However, with over more than 7000 languages existing to date, the best language in your context or for your personal interests will likely vary from someone else’s.
Immerse yourself
At the CLL, we consider ourselves to be a melting pot of languages and a hub of cultural activity. Obviously then it should come as little surprise that we see opportunities for immersion as key to successful language learning. While you may not currently be able to travel to a country where the language is spoken, why not look for opportunities locally to engage with speakers of that language? Have you ever tried ordering tacos from the staff at 51 ingredients in Spanish? Or ordering your favorite Chinese takeout at Me Asia in Chinese? Of course, if you’re not quite ready to dive off the deep end and engage with native speakers, there are also numerous online apps and platforms that can connect you safely with native speakers. You can also consume a lot of the target language via other media like movies, books and music. At the Centre, we have a dedicated space, The Self-Access Facility (SAF) filled with authentic material, from books to DVDs, for student use. Really, when it comes to immersing yourself in the language, you are spoilt for choice.
Get into a routine
Oh did we say effective language learning requires effort? We’ll repeat it for those in the back. Learning another language requires effort. We definitely recommend developing a regular, daily or weekly routine for studying and reviewing your work. If your approach is more self-paced, then dedicating some time each day, consistently, to practicing your target language will undoubtedly help you reach your proficiency goals. Just remember Rome wasn’t built in a day. So don’t expect to achieve much if you haphazardly practice the language.
Use technology
We are big proponents of technology-use in language learning. It may come as a surprise that we even learn from our students! We are certainly impressed when they share their latest favorite app or YouTube channel that they’ve found particularly useful in their language learning. There are also countless of free, language learning apps and online resources at your fingertips. Many of these offer interactive activities and quiz-based learning, which some argue can be quite effective. So get creative, start with a simple online search and see what works for you.
Get talking
We cannot emphasise this enough. Unless you’re learning the language to read manga or literature, it’s likely that you’re learning it to be able to communicate with others. So, even if you’re only just starting out, don’t be afraid, start speaking! The more you practice conversing in the language the more fluent you become, your pronunciation will improve (native speakers often offer correction) as will your confidence in the language. Trust us, speaking in your target language is key. No one around to practice? There are a number of social apps that can connect you with native speakers. Or, why not simply try making up sentences about what you’re doing and saying those out loud? Even that will help.
Be patient, be persistent
We’ve said a lot thus far. But perhaps the best advice we can give you is to be patient with yourself. We often describe language learning as a journey and that is because we truly believe that it is. There will be challenges along the way, maybe even a plateau or two, but at the heart of successful language learning are patience and persistence. Try to maintain a positive attitude and don’t get discouraged. You’ve got this!
We hope you find these seven tips useful. As we mentioned previously, effective language learning is a journey. It requires dedication, consistency, and a well-organized approach. By setting clear goals, immersing yourself in the language, and using technological resources, you can open doors to a new world of communication and diverse cultures. Language learning is definitely not a short-distance race but a rewarding adventure. Learning another language will enrich your life in countless ways. We look forward to hearing about your experiences! Connect with us on social media (Facebook, Instagram) to tell us about your language learning experiences or to share your tips for effective language learning.
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As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, the Chinese Section of the Centre for Language Learning (CLL) will host a drawing contest to highlight traditional Chinese festivals and showcase the artistic talent of Chinese language students and culture enthusiasts.
We invite interested members of the public to enter. Participants under 18 must have a parent sign a waiver. The theme for the contest is, “Chinese festivals“. Participants can choose to portray one of three traditional Chinese festivals: (1) Qixi Festival (2) The Spring Festival (3) The Dragon Boat Festival. We look forward to receiving your submissions! |
Contest Guidelines:
- The competition begins on May 29, 2023.
- One submission per person.
- Participants must select one (1) festival from the “Theme” section and base their artwork on the traditions associated with that festival.
- Submissions can include various characters, but must include at least one rabbit.
- Each submission must be accompanied by a brief description.
- There will be two categories; 1) digital artwork and 2) hand-drawn artwork
- By entering the contest, participants grant the competition organizers the right to post and publish submissions freely on their social media platforms and in future digital/print publications as they deem fit.
- Submission deadline: June 20, 2023 at 3:00pm.
Judging Criteria:
Participants will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Originality/Creativity (30%)
- Design (20%)
- Adherence to the theme (Content) and guidelines (50%)
Prizes
- First prize: Digital category
- First prize: Hand-drawn category
- People’s choice (voting for 3 days – June 21-23 on Instagram page – voting ends at 5:00pm)
- Kid’s prize: Best drawing (digital or hand-drawn eligible) – 5-12 year olds
- Winners will be announced on August 7, 2023.
Submission
Click here to submit your artwork.
For further information, contact:
Janine.Lutchman@sta.uwi.edu
Open House 2023 starts this Friday! Among the CLL staff the anticipation is starting to build. For those who have been on the team since the last Open House, in 2018, feelings of anxiety are interwoven with gleeful sentiment. We are cognizant of the immense amount of planning that goes into two days of foreign language activities. But we are also fuelled by memories of smiling, excited faces, laughter and loads of positive feedback. For our newer staff members, curiosity is perhaps at an all-time high. Despite this range of emotions, we are confident that this Open House will certainly be momentous. As one of the major events organized for our 25th anniversary, this year’s Open House theme is “Explore the World with the CLL!” It promises to remind everyone attending that the CLL continues to be a vibrant hub for all things foreign language-related. But what exactly is involved in hosting the triennial Open House? Today we take you behind the scenes in order to whet your appetite for the March 24 and 25 activities.
Planning
Believe it or not, planning for the 2023 Open House began in September 2022. Acting Director, Dr Nicole Roberts, met virtually with the foreign language coordinators to begin planning. The first aspects discussed were the potential dates, the theme, the languages represented, potential budget and marketing of the event. This initial meeting sought to lay the symbolic cornerstone of the Open House event. The team went away enthused about the various activities they could organize to emphasise the theme of exploration of foreign languages and cultures. Semester 1 rolled on, 2022 ended, and 2023 commenced with a bang. Once registration ended and semester 2 teaching began, the team met in February 2023 to provide planning updates. Fortunately, the discussion was ripe with ideas and at the end of it, the excitement to carry out a wide range of activities was palpable.
More planning...
With the language coordinators focused on their respective language(s), Open House planning switched into another gear. The coordinators engaged with their tutors to ascertain everyone’s availability for the two days. They also determined the number of students required to help with the various activities. For languages wanting to provide samples, door prizes, and display authentic materials, tutors sent out requests for donations. In addition, coordinators contacted local performers regarding their participation in this year’s Open House. Do you remember the capoeira performance at Open House 2015 or the salsa dancing lessons at Open House 2018? This year, we look forward to Afrobeats performances, Latin dancing sessions and Zumba, to mention a few. Tutors also enlisted the help of their students to prepare materials for displays around the CLL and their language-related activities. Now, customarily, the Friday of Open House is dedicated to secondary school students, although members of the campus community and public are also welcome. So permission was also sought from the Ministry of Education for schools throughout Trinidad and Tobago to attend on March 24.
Spreading the word
Beginning in March 2023, we ramped up our social media advertising. Of course, our aim was to increase visibility of Open House 2023. However, we also wanted to engage more with our community, recognizing that much of the CLL’s excellence is due to our dedicated students and staff. Thus, we produced a variety of language-related content. From a trivia contest, to staff and student features, to boomerangs from friends of the CLL, which included the hashtag #myCLL. The winner of the trivia contest will be announced on the Friday of Open House. Haven’t entered yet? There’s still time. Here are the rules:
How to Enter and Win
- Like the original post.
- Re-share to your feed/story, along with your answer and the hashtag #myCLL.
- Tag us in the post.
- Your profile must be made public.
- Answer all 8 questions correctly.
- Winner will be announced on March 24.
We are grateful for the current students and staff members that took the time to create short videos with 3 useful phrases in their respective language. With our social media presence abuzz, we then created an Open House event page on Facebook and shared it with our networks. We wrote short articles about the event and promoted these on our social media platforms. And certainly worth mentioning is the local favourite, word-of-mouth.
What to expect
Now that you have a fair idea of the behind-the-scenes of Open House, what awaits you? Without revealing too much, here’s a glimpse.
Mandarin Chinese
When you visit the Mandarin Chinese in Room 8, you can expect to test your knowledge with trivia questions. You will be able to play language games, learn and taste authentic Chinese tea. There will be opportunities for you to create beautiful paper art through their paper cutting and paper folding activities. You will also be able to memorialize your experience by taking a picture in the selfie corner. The Chinese tutors and students look forward to seeing you there!
French
When you stop by the French in Room 2, you will have the opportunity to test your French spelling skills by participating in a spelling bee. Likely, you will be invited to travel to Paris to learn about the Eiffel tower and build your own model. And you will also be able to discover a bit of French gastronomy as you visit Café Paris, located in the same room. The French team has organized to play games like pétanque outside of the CLL, on the lawn next to the fence. They certainly look forward to having you!
Japanese
A visit to the Japanese in the Lecture Room will take you on a journey to Japan. You will be invited to participate in karaoke and cosplay activities. There will also be activities for you to test your knowledge of Japanese trivia. You will have the opportunity to participate in chopstick games, and attend origami and calligraphy workshops. The Japanese tutors and the Japanese learners look forward to welcoming you to their room.
Spanish
When you visit the Spanish in Rooms 11 and 12, you will explore Latin American culture. There will be opportunities to dance during their Latin dancing and Zumba sessions. Your knowledge of Spanish will be tested in their translation competition. If you are interested in learning Spanish, you will have the opportunity to take a mini Spanish lessons. And for the singers among us, you will be able to sing along to Spanish karaoke. The Spanish section and their students look forward to seeing you!
Yoruba
Visiting the Yoruba section in Room 5, promises to be quite an experience. You will be invited to attend an Afrobeats performance. Yoruba fashion will be on display during their fashion show. You will be able to view original works of art in their art exhibition, and explore your creative side during their art and craft activities. There will also be Nigerian food such as jollof rice, fufu, efo, dodo and suya. The Yoruba section looks forward to welcoming you!
Now as we said before, this is just a glimpse. There will be a lot more to discover from these languages and our other taught languages, Arabic, English as a Second Language, German, and Portuguese. So don’t miss out. Admission is free and Open House is a family-friendly event. The 2023 Open House, however, is not the end of our 25th anniversary celebrations. Beginning on March 28, our Diversity Latin American Film Festival begins. See our event page for trailers and more information. In the months to come, you can also expect Japanese cultural events, Chinese New Year Drawing, and much more…So be sure to connect with us on our socials to stay abreast of the various activities.
The Centre for Language Learning opens its doors to members of the public, secondary school students and teachers, as well as members of the campus community for its triennial Open House on March 24 and 25, 2023. Come “Explore the World with the CLL”!
Open House is the most highly-anticipated event at the Centre for Language Learning. This year’s is especially significant as it is part of a plethora of activities organized to celebrate the Centre’s 25th anniversary. Customarily, the Friday of Open House is specifically for secondary school students, however members of the campus community and the public are also welcome. The event runs from 9 am to 5 pm each day.
The 2 days of cultural and language-related activities promise to be very exciting. Each language: Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, English as a Second Language, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Yoruba, taught at the CLL will offer a broad selection of activities. These will include games, live performances, food and drink sampling, giveaways and much more. Open House is a family-friendly event. It is open to anyone interested in foreign languages and culture. We look forward to welcoming you to the CLL!
To view photos of Open House 2018, click here.
Connect with us on social media (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitter) to keep abreast of Open House activities.
