East Asian Languages Program

The East Asian Languages Program supports the study of East Asian languages at the campuses.

The East Asian Languages Program supports the study of East Asian languages at the Five Colleges through events such as language and culture programs, workshops and seminars, and professional development opportunities. A committee consisting of faculty from the various campuses meets, plans, and organizes events each academic year.

Categories of Work

Our work is in the following categories: 

  • Professional development activities for instructional staff at the institutions, such as workshops on language pedagogy and technology. 
  • Workshops and seminars showcasing scholarship or teaching practices of faculty members and instructors at the five institutions.
  • Programming for undergraduates or graduate students studying East Asian Languages or East Asian cultures (lectures, films screenings, workshops, etc.). Events are located on one or more of the campuses.  
  • Travel by Five College teaching staff to a workshop on language pedagogy, assessment, technology, and/or policies. The successful applicant is required to give a workshop for Five College East Asian Languages instructional staff to share what they learned at the workshop.

2023-2024 Academic Year Events

Korean Gate

Korean language event

Talk by Visiting Scholar Professor Jason Lee at UMass Amherst

A Japanese garden decoration and pond.

Japanese Speech Contest

Join us for the 2024 Five College Japanese Speech Contest, where students from the Five Colleges showcase their language proficiency and cultural understanding. From 1st-year beginners to advanced 4th-year students and beyond, contestants will compete in front of esteemed judges, including a Japanese consul from Boston. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the linguistic and cultural talents of our students!

Poster Speech Contest

Five College Korean Speech Contest and Culture Performance

Speech Contest - Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Levels

Cultural Performance - All types of performances related to Korean culture, such as K-pop dance, singing, poetry-reading, acting and musical performances, are welcome. Video recordings are also acceptable. Please note that the performances are not part of the competition but rather a celebration of learning Korean.

 

Yue Opera Performance

Chinese language event - Lecture and Demonstration on Yue Opera’s Cross-Dressing Performance

A lecture and demonstration on Yue Opera’s Cross-Dressing Performance at Mount Holyoke College

Chinese lanterns

Chinese Language Talent Show

2024 Chinese Language Talent Show at UMass Amherst

City of Bucheon in South Korea

Korean language event - Minhwa, traditional painting Workshop

Korean language event, featuring Minhwa, traditional painting workshop at UMass Amherst

Torii Gate

Japanese language event - Traditional poetry as competitive game

Japanese language event, featuring traditional poetry as competitive game at UMass Amherst

Contact Us

Five College East Asian Languages Program Committee - 2024-2025

Chan Young Park, Chair of Committee, East Asian Languages and Cultures, UMass Amherst

Kentaro Fukube, Asian Languages and Civilizations, Amherst College

Naoko Nemoto, Asian Studies, Mount Holyoke College

Lu Yu, East Asian Languages and Cultures, Smith College

Yi Feng, East Asian Languages and Cultures, UMass Amherst

Mako Koyama-Hartsfield, East Asian Languages and Cultures, UMass Amherst

Five College Staff Liaison

April Shandor, Academic Programs Coordinator, Five College Consortium