Language Houses

Haskell House and Elbert House

Haskell House is the French Language immersion house, and Elbert House is the Italian and Arabic Languages immersion house. Each serves as a residence for 13 - 20 students interested in improving their understanding of both language and culture. The houses have a full kitchen and living room; in addition, Haskell House has a piano and fireplace. Events are organized by the Cultural Program Coordinators in liaison with the Francophone and Mediterranean Studies Department.

Language House Cultural Program Coordinators (CPCs) are staff members who live in a language house with 12-25 students. In addition to teaching adjunct language courses, CPCs strive to create a sense of community within their houses and provide an opportunity for the students living in the houses to be immersed in the language and culture. The CPCs plan cultural as well as community-building programs.

For more information in International programming, see the Colorado College International Education page.

Cultural Program Coordinators

Dario Sponchiado

Cultural Program Coordinator of the Italian Language House

Country of Origin: Italy

2012/2013 academic year

Milan State University, Masters program in Promotion and teaching of Italian language and culture for foreigners.
Master in Publishing and Editing, Institute Newpeople.Team in Milan.
Biotechnologies degree, Milan State University.

A Note from Dario:
Ciao everybody, I'm thrilled to be part of this crew!  I love to travel, learn new languages, teach Italian and share my culture!

Italian is the closest language to Latin which is a fundamental component of English.  So learning Italian means understanding better your language.

Any examples?
You are at the university, maybe you have joined a sorority or fraternity, you sing in a chorus as a soprano, or you chant an allegretto piece a cappella.  In a cafeteria you find some loquacious lunatic and you say: abracadabra!  I dig your personality, but bravo, I am incognito and gotta run home for my vespertine linguine.

Do you want to add Italian to your Curriculum Vitae? Carpe Diem!  Join Italian at CC. 

Contact Dario:  Dario.Sponchiado@coloradocollege.edu 
Office:  Armstrong Hall Room 323, x6924 
Office Hours:  Tuesday/Thursday 1:30 - 2:30 

Helen Destouches

Cultural Program Coordinator of the French Language House

Country of Origin: France

2012/2013 academic year

My name is Hélène. I was born in Normandy, France. When I was 12 years old, my family and I moved to a beautiful town called Tours which is in the Loire valley. My mother is British and my father is French. I have two older sisters who were both CPCs at Colorado College. After high school, I studied at the University of Tours and received my bachelors in English. Then, I went to a university in Bordeaux and received my masters in communications. In my free time, I enjoy singing, acting, dancing, watching movies, and traveling. I’m very happy to be here in Colorado College with you this year and live a new adventure. 

Contact Helen:  Helene.Destouches@coloradocollege.edu 
Office:  Armstrong Hall Room 324, x 6626 
Office Hours: Tuesday 1:00 - 3:00 

Faisal Ali Al Balushi

FLTA for Arabic

Country of Origin: Oman

2012/2013 academic year

Contact Faisal:  FaisalAliHabib.AlBalushi@coloradocollege.edu 
Office:  Armstrong Hall Room 323, x6924 
Office Hours:  Tuesday/Thursday 1:00 - 2:30