Nil Nyah, a Japanese major in the Class of 2027, presented her research, “The Interpretation of English Bare Plurals by Native Japanese Speakers,” as a talk with her advisor, Dr. Yunchuan Chen, at the 2026 Linguistic Society of America Annual Meeting in New Orleans on January 11, 2026. read more about Japanese Program Student Presents Research at National Linguistics Conference »
Mid-print in the Co-Lab, where students transformed their names into 3D forms using Hindi/Sanskrit scripts. (Photo courtesy of Kusum Knapczyk) Typically, a visit to the Innovation Co-Lab isn’t on the syllabus for most language classes, but in Kusum Knapczyk’s elementary Hindi classes, technology is definitely part of the lesson plan. The senior lecturer in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies has long embraced technology as a tool to help students connect language to… read more about When Technology Imprints on Language Learning »
Navya writes: Working on the “My Name, My Story” project in Dr. Kusum Knapczyk’s class was a meaningful experience that allowed me to reflect deeply on the personal and cultural significance of my name. Living in New York my whole life, I’ve gotten so used to hearing the Americanized version of my name that I almost forgot how it’s actually supposed to sound. Through this project, I reconnected with my name’s real pronunciation and meaning, and I learned how much love and care my parents put into… read more about My Name, My Story: Connecting Identity and Language Through Hindi »
Yan Liu, Associate Professor of the Practice in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) and Director of the Chinese Language Program has received the 2025 Klett Award for Sustainable Development Education in the World Language Classroom from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). The award honors Liu’s innovative work embedding themes of global sustainability, intercultural understanding, and social responsibility into language education. Through courses such as China and the… read more about Yan Liu Receives Award for Sustainable Development Education in the World Language Classroom »
Duke’s Trinity College of Arts & Sciences has invited its faculty to submit proposals for the creation of new research initiatives on campus.Following the successful launches of the SPACE Initiative and the Society-Centered AI Initiative, the Trinity Research Initiative will support new directions for interdisciplinary research through seed funding for nascent research collaborations, community-building, and complementary educational and outreach activities.Open to all areas of research and… read more about Trinity College of Arts & Sciences Invites Proposals for New Research Initiatives »
What do cooking dumplings and meeting a former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have in common?Both are memorable experiences first-year students had this fall, thanks to Trinity College’s Arts & Sciences Curriculum.Finding your footing in a new place can be challenging, but the Arts & Sciences Curriculum’s First-Year Experience helps students make meaningful connections from the moment they arrive on campus.All first-year students in Trinity College participate in the First-Year Experience through… read more about Building Connections Through the First-Year Experience »
Learning Hindi with Professor Kusum Knapczyk is never confined to the classroom or the textbook. Her teaching style encourages students to explore the language through its art, music, and traditions, allowing us to truly experience Indian culture. Earlier this semester, our Hindi 101 class had the wonderful opportunity to learn a Bollywood dance to the song Balam Pichkari under the guidance of upperclassman Shankul Lohakare. Before we began, Shankul explained how the song is closely associated with … read more about Bollywood Beats in Hindi Class: Dancing Our Way to Learning »
Hindi 101 is a very special language class. In addition to learning how to read, write and speak, Dr. Kusum Knapczyk emphasizes experiential learning and immersing ourselves in Indian culture. Recently, Hindi 101 students came together with friends and family on Family Weekend for a memorable cooking class. The class began by preparing ingredients for pav bhaji, mango lassi and pani puri. Students had read recipes beforehand and were ready to jump into the cooking process, with guidance from Kusum ji.One of my favorite… read more about A Taste of Culture: Hindi 101’s Cooking Class »
In Kusum Knapczyk’s Hindi class, learning is never confined to four walls—it blossoms in the open air. This week, students stepped outside the classroom with handouts full of intriguing clues and ventured into the lush beauty of Duke Gardens for an interactive scavenger hunt. Their mission? Decode clues in Hindi, find the objects, and capture them in photos.One clue read: “There is a flower in the garden that is also a vegetable, and we eat it with love.” After some lively discussion, students cracked the answer—… read more about Learning Beyond the Classroom: A Fun and Memorable Scavenger Hunt »
It must have been the late 2000s when I returned to Istanbul for winter break. My plane landed during the evening rush hour, so I stocked up on snacks, ready for the long ride home through the city’s notorious traffic. But to my surprise, the streets were empty — a sight I had never witnessed growing up in this restless metropolis.The taxi driver soon solved the mystery: Ezel, a new television drama, was airing that night, and everyone was glued to their screens. The show followed a young man betrayed by his… read more about What Is Your Favorite Turkish Drama? »
Four Japanese Program students — Mina Kim (Japanese major, Class of 2026), Nil Nyah (Japanese major, Class of 2027), Raymond Xiong (Japanese 305 student, Class of 2026), and Daniel Zhang (graduate student in East Asian Studies) — participated in the inaugural Duke & Ochanomizu Student Workshop held on October 14, 2025, at Ochanomizu University in Tokyo, Japan.During the morning session, each Duke student presented their individual research project on the Japanese language, followed by three presentations from Ochanomizu… read more about Japanese Program Students Visit Japan for Workshop at Ochanomizu University »
I walked into Penn Pavilion with the plan to stop by one or two tables for a quick chat. I left hours later with a bag full of free goodies and a newfound understanding of what being a student at Duke can look like.The seemingly endless aisles of tables featuring academic departments, certificate programs and student resources felt like a maze of different opportunities and possibilities. Each table was decorated to be its own vibrant universe. While I may have stopped by a few tables for their bowls full of treats or the… read more about A First-Year Student’s Perspective on the Majors Fair »
On September 26, a group of Duke faculty representing several disciplines gathered in person for the first meeting of the new “Teaching in the Age of AI” Faculty Learning Community (FLC), led by Jennifer Ahern-Dodson, Associate Professor of the Practice in the Thompson Writing Program, and supported by CARADITE. Attendees exchanged introductions and reflected on their attitudes toward generative AI — a mix of excitement and caution — and their motivations for joining this new venture. read more about Teaching in the Age of AI: A New Faculty Learning Community Takes Root at Duke »
Friday, November 14, 4:30 am - 6:30 amSpeaker(s): Mbaye LoMbaye Lo presents "Rediscovering Lost Archives: The Autobiography of Omar ibn Said, an Enslaved Muslim Scholar"SponsorAsian & Middle Eastern Studies (AMES)LocationJohn Hope Franklin Center, Ahmadieh Family Conference Hall, Room 240ContactCarlos Rojasc.rojas@duke.edu read more about Mbaye Lo, "Rediscovering Lost Archives: The Autobiography of Omar ibn Said, an Enslaved Muslim Scholar" »
Sung Eun Kim is an historian of modern Korea whose scholarship examines how race and gender shaped the experiences of colonial soldiering, particularly at the intersection of Korean militarism and U.S. imperialism in the Asia-Pacific region. His research centers on the Korean Augmentation to the United States Army Soldier, or KATUSA. The program was created in 1950 at the outbreak of the Korean War to embed South Korean soldiers into U.S. Army units in the region. Remarkably, this form of conscription continues in South… read more about Sung Eun Kim Explores the Military Ties Between Korea and the U.S. »
Penn State students, scholars and community members joined together Tuesday to celebrate the centenary of civil rights activist Malcolm X’s birth. Held at the Hintz Family Alumni Center, the event was organized by a range of contributors including the Borough of State College, Penn State’s Department of African American Studies and Webster’s Bookstore Cafe. It featured panel discussions, poetry readings, refreshments and more. read more about Ellen McLearney Honors Malcolm X’s Legacy at Penn State Event »
The AMES department is proud to announce that Yan Liu, Associate Professor of the Practice and Director of the Chinese Language Program, has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Professional Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to the advancement of language education.Professor Liu received the Klett Award for Sustainable Development Education in the World Language Classroom, an honor that highlights… read more about Professor Yan Liu Receives 2025 ACTFL Professional Award »
Duke faculty members Denise Comer, Saskia Cornes, Shai Ginsburg, Candis Watts Smith and Norbert Wilson spent last year serving as fellows in the Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Leaders Network (ACC ALN).“Being part of the ACC ALN was incredibly energizing and inspiring,” said Comer, who is professor of the practice and director of the Thompson Writing Program. “It connected me with a thoughtful community of peers and gave me practical tools and fresh perspectives that continue to shape how I lead and collaborate.”… read more about A Year of Faculty Leadership Development With the ACC »
The Chinese Program successfully hosted the 3rd International Conference on Chinese for Specific and Professional Purposes (CSP) on May 16-17, 2025. Sponsored by Duke's Asian/Pacific Studies Institute (APSI) and the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES), this hybrid event brought together 94 registered participants—including more than 20 attending in person—from across the U.S., mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the UK.The conference opened with a roundtable discussion on May 16, focusing on the… read more about The Chinese Program Hosts the 3rd International Conference on Chinese for Specific Purposes at Duke »
As a language educator, I believe that my role extends beyond teaching a language. We also have a responsibility to empower students to care about the world, their communities, and one another. To cultivate this mindset, students must engage with real-world issues like climate change and sustainability, build meaningful connections with the communities around them, and collaborate actively with their peers. Guided by this belief, I’ve embraced experiential learning, community-based learning, and service learning as… read more about Bridging Cultures for a Greener Future: Integrating Climate Change and Sustainability into Chinese Language Education »
Every year, Yale organizes a debate by selecting a meaningful topic that brings together students from across the country. This event not only fosters national participation but also helps students connect and gain a deeper understanding of the program. It’s a wonderful opportunity to interact with Hindi learners both nationally and internationally. Students always look forward to this unique debate. The purpose is not merely to showcase their Hindi-speaking abilities—though that is one small aspect—but the true… read more about Duke Hindi Student Makes School Proud at Yale Hindi Debate »
Every year, we eagerly await our “Annual Hindi Festival”. It is a true celebration of language, culture, and community. On April 11th, all our Hindi students came together for an evening filled with creativity, laughter and applause. At 5:30 PM sharp, we set the stage alight with our elementary Hindi performers. Elementary students delighted us with nine original short skits penned and directed by Anshul Jain. These skits were based on everyday scenes such as grabbing coffee at a café, cramming for exams, and… read more about A Heartfelt Journey Through Hindi, Culture, and Community »
Recently, as part of my time learning Hindi in Duke’s AMES program, I had the chance to blend my love for language, film, and poetry. One evening for a class assignment, I rewatched Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, which is one of my favorite Hindi films. Its iconic song Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai captures the idea that in love, we sometimes glimpse the divine. When Kusum Ji asked me to write a poem for class, I felt inspired by the song, and decided to capture this idea in my own interpretation of love. Writing… read more about “Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai”: How Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Inspired My Writing in Hindi Class »
Time and time again, Kusum Ji’s Hindi class never fails to immerse students in the beauty of the language through engaging and meaningful experiences. This time, intermediate Hindi learners grabbed their virtual reality glasses (provided by Duke) and ventured into the very country where this language was born. Students marveled at the grandeur of the Taj Mahal, walked through the bustling streets of Delhi, got lost in the many shops of the Khan Market, and took in the open fields of India’s villages. This time off from… read more about Virtual Reality’s Immersive Dimension in Hindi Language Learning »
Attending Hindu Chaplain Priya Amaresh’s Yoga class on a sunny Monday afternoon was one of Kusumji’s many ways of making Hindi class exciting and interactive. The session was a blend of the physical and mental aspects of yoga. The instructor, Priyaji, drew a lot of attention to the breath through various breathing exercises, pranayamas, such as Bhramari, Kapalbhati, Bhastrika and Anulom Vilom. These pranayamas served different purposes, with Bhramari’s bee-like vibrations calming the mind, Kapalbhati cleansing the lungs,… read more about Reset and Refocus: Wellness Yoga with Hindu Chaplain Priya Amaresh »
Jose Chavez Orozco Jr., a Japanese major student (Class of 2025) at AMES, presented his honors thesis project, titled ‘Reexamining the Interpretation of English Definite Plurals by L1 Spanish Speakers and L1 Japanese Speakers,’ at the 2025 Southeastern Conference on Linguistics (SECOL 2025), hosted by Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. read more about Japanese Major Student Presented a Research Project in the 2025 Southeastern Conference on Linguistics »
When Associate Professor of the Practice Yan Liu reached out to Durham Academy's Mandarin teacher Bonnie Wang in 2014, she was exploring new connections in the community for her new service-learning course in Chinese. Neither educator could have predicted that this initial connection would blossom into a decade-long partnership that would transform hundreds of students' lives and their own teaching practices.This year, Bonnie Wang was named the 2025 Betsy Alden Outstanding Service-Learning Community Partner Award… read more about A Decade of Connection: Learning, Language, and Community »
The Japanese program at Duke University hosted the 38th Duke Japanese Speech Contest on March 29, 2025, on East Campus. A total of 15 finalists from Duke University, NC State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC Charlotte, UNC Greensboro, and Wake Forest University competed in the event. Below is the list of winners: Level I: 1st Place: Dia Wisnewski (UNC Greensboro) Jay Shin (Duke) 3rd Place: Aman Desai (Duke) Pano… read more about 2025 Duke Japanese Speech Contest »