Educator Lu Marie Ducharme hopes to change the local mind-set that Laredoans need only learn English and Spanish. A French Canadian by origin and the newest instructor in the Department of Foreign Languages at Laredo Community College, Ducharme wants to motivate and encourage students to learn the French language and its culture this summer at LCC.
During the first summer session, LCC will offer Intermediate French I (FREN2311) and Conversational French I (FREN1300). Each class will meet Monday through Thursday, from May 31 to July 1. FREN2311 will convene from 5:20 to 7:20 p.m. FREN1300 will meet from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Ducharme—who hails from Montreal, Canada—speaks with enthusiasm on the benefits which students can obtain from learning to speak French.
“The languages of English, Spanish and French are regarded as the three major languages of the world,” said Ducharme. “Imagine the professional opportunities that can open for someone who speaks these three major languages in a city billed as the world’s largest inland port.”
Ducharme added that Spanish speakers may be surprised to discover how easy it is to learn the French language.
“French and Spanish are romance languages—modern Latin with similar structures and word order. These similarities make it easier for Spanish speakers to learn French,” she explained.
Focusing on who can benefit from the summer classes she plans to teach this summer at LCC, Ducharme said that the Intermediate French I class is intended for those who have passed Beginning French II (FREN 1412), or have studied various levels of French in high school or college.
“In this class, we will study cultural and literary texts and deepen the grammatical knowledge of the language,” said Ducharme. “This is one of the four mandatory classes for all minors and majors in French. This can benefit local and area university students in town for the summer. Students can get closer to completing their degree goals and save on the cost of tuition if they take this class at LCC.”
The Conversational French I course is open to all students, including those with some basic skills and those who have never uttered a word in this language.
“The class will be geared towards brushing up or acquiring the basic language skills for traveling and meeting people. Supporting material will be offered so that students can work on improving their writing skills and grammar,” said Ducharme. “Students will be capable of reading a map or dinner menu in French. We will also explore the music, movies and culture of this language. It will be an exciting and fun learning experience.”
Ducharme received a specialized Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics and Literature from the University of Montreal. There, she began her teaching career in grammar, dissertation skills and public speaking.
She also holds a B.A. in Social and Economical Studies from the Academie de Caen, France.
In 1989, after completing her undergraduate studies in Canada, she moved to the United States to find employment and pursue graduate studies in Louisiana. She continued her teaching career as a French professor for public schools in East Baton Rouge through a cooperative program led by the Ministere des Affaires Internationales du Canada and the Governor of Louisiana. In 1992, she earned a Master of Arts degree in Francophone Studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
She relocated to Tucson to pursue doctoral studies at the University of Arizona. In 1996, she defended a Ph.D. in Ethics and Literary Theory in French that was accepted with minor corrections.
Ducharme moved back to Louisiana, where she held various teaching and professional careers, including professor of a college level program of French language and literature, artist manager and grant writer, cultural liaison/marketing coordinator and consultant for a major international music festival, editor for a tri-state area cultural and education magazine, librarian-technician for the Louisiana Public Library, and Education Program Coordinator for a division of the Louisiana Department of Education.
Ducharme is pleased to have found a teaching job at LCC. She says that she loves the South Texas region, which she discovered while in Tucson.
In Tucson, she became a friend of Carl Rogers, son of national icon Will Rogers.
“Mr. Rogers always talked about the beauty of Texas, its landscape and history. I developed a fond interest for the South Texas and Rio Grande Valley region. Moving to Laredo was perfect to me,” said Ducharme.
For more information or to enroll in the French classes, contact the LCC Foreign Languages Department by calling 721-5355. Office hours are Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 to 7 p.m.
Lu Marie Ducharme
Office of Marketing and Public Information
West End Washington St.
Laredo, TX 78040-4395
956- 721-5140
Fax 956-721-5443