Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Christine Pambukyan. Second row, left to right:
Ariana Garabedian, Kara Statler, Olivia Soghomonian. Third
row, left to right: Caleb Arizmendez, Matthew Mugrdechian,
Angela Soghomonian. Fourth row, left to right, Sosse Baloian,
Andrew Hagopian, Milena Karapetyan.
Christine Pambukyan
Staff Writer
“Learning Armenian can open up a whole new world for students. I enjoy the process of interacting with students in teaching and in sharing their success as they learn the language,” said Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Berberian Coordinator of the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State.
Every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30PM to 4:45PM, students in the Armenian 2A Intermediate Armenian course meet to develop their Armenian speaking, reading, and writing skills during the Spring 2021 semester.
Due to Professor Der Mugrdechian’s inclusive and practical approach, many find the course enjoyable in general. “I enjoy this class because it is very practical and has a nice balance of general conversation, reading, and writing in Armenian” says Caleb Arizmendez, a junior majoring in chemistry and Minoring in Armenian Studies.
Some enjoy the conversations they experience in class. “I appreciate the time we spend conversing with each other. It gives me a wonderful challenge to try to listen to a conversation, even if I am not speaking, and to attempt to understand it in my head,” explained Angela Soghomonian, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry and Minoring in Armenian Studies.
Others enjoy reading stories. For instance, when asked what her favorite part about the course is, Olivia Soghomonian, a math major, replied “The readings. Although they aren’t complex stories, the act of translation itself is what I really like because it makes me feel like I can apply what I’ve learned.”
The eleven students come to class with many different backgrounds in Armenian. During his thirty-six years of teaching, “there has always been a good mix of students in the language course,” said Professor Der Mugrdechian. “We have many non-Armenians who are interested in learning the language for a variety of reasons.”
For example, some take the course to increase their speaking skills. “I took Armenian courses to be able to learn how to speak Armenian, as well as read and write; and I decided to take 2A to improve my speaking,” said Kara Statler, a history major and Minoring in Armenian Studies.
Others wish to improve their reading and writing abilities. “I have always wanted to be able to speak the Armenian language better and to sharpen my reading and writing skills. There is something special about being able to converse with a fellow Armenian in the diaspora” stated Sosse Baloian, a sophomore majoring in History and Minoring in Armenian Studies.
When students and faculty were asked their thoughts about taking the Armenian course online this semester, most agree that it comes with challenges and advantages. “It has been challenging to teach the language course online. It slows the process of conversation down and students do not get to interact as much as in a face-to-face class. The advantage is you can record a class or parts of classes so students can go back and review,” explained Prof. Der Mugrdechian.
Some students find comfort in taking an online class. “Through taking this class online, I feel more comfortable with speaking and comprehending Armenian; however, I do miss the environment of an in-person Armenian language class,” said Arizmendez.
Others hope for in-person courses to begin soon. “I wish the class was in-person. I feel like we would learn more. It is a challenging course but it’s not hard for me because I enjoy every minute of it,” concluded Dustin Vartanian, a Senior majoring in business management and Minoring in Armenian Studies.
Most of the students in the course had taken Professor Der Mugrdechian’s Armenian 1A and 1B courses in the past and enjoy getting to learn more Armenian with their friends.
“My favorite part about this class is that I am taking it with people that I have met through the Armenian Studies Program and that have become my close friends over the last couple of years,” said Ariana Garabedian, a second-year speech, language, and pathology major, minoring in Armenian Studies.
Some even consider Armenian 2A as their favorite course. When asked which of his classes were his favorite this semester, Dustin Vartanian exclaimed “The Armenian language class is my favorite. I love that I can use what I learn in the real world.”
Overall, the familiarity between the students and the dedication of the professor make for an enjoyable, rewarding, and eye-opening semester of Intermediate Armenian Language Course thus far.