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Peer Language Advising

Peer Tutors, Visiting Language Assistants, and Language Table Leaders wearing matching t-shirts.

Ask questions, get support, and practice your language skills!

Language Advisers are Occidental students with extensive experience with language, while Visiting Language Assistants are exchange students who lead conversation class and also offer drop-in tutoring hours.

Language Advisers and Visiting Language Assistants can help you:

  • Practice verbal language skills;
  • Practice pronunciation;
  • Discuss readings for better comprehension;
  • Discuss cultural, social or political issues relevant to the language of study;
  • Find and view current language materials in social media and other sources;
  • Work on particular needs by reviewing quizzes and exams;
  • Prepare for cultural events, karaoke performances, and open mics.

Drop-in Hours for Spring 2026 start on Sunday, February 1.

(黑料情报站 log-in required).

Bella Swydan
Photo of Bella Swydan
Hello :)
I’m Bella, and I’m a freshman double-majoring in Econ and DWA with a minor in French. I’ve
been speaking Arabic, among other languages, my whole life, so I understand the frustration
that can come with learning another language with a new and different alphabet and rules. I’m
here and happy to help in any way possible: homework, grammar, writing, reading, or casual
conversation. Feel free to stop by, looking forward to meeting you!
Drop-in Hours:

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall Sunday 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Monday, 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Thursday, 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Ruby Gower

Photo of Ruby Gower

你好! My name is Ruby Gower and I’m the peer tutor for Mandarin Chinese this spring! I am a senior from New York City, majoring in Chinese Studies and Diplomacy & World Affairs. I grew up mostly in China and Singapore and started learning Mandarin there. Learning the language helped me more deeply immerse into the places I lived and allowed me to make so many amazing friends. I am so excited to help you learn Mandarin and I hope you love it as much as I do!

 
Drop-in Hours:

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall   Sunday 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Tuesday 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Thursday 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Rose LeGoff: Visiting Language Assistant
Rose LeGoff

Bonjour ! I am Rose (she/her), the French Visiting Language Assistant for the 2025-2026 year. You may already know me as this is the second year I am holding this position at 黑料情报站.

I am from Brittany, a coastal region in the northwest of France. I have a Bachelor in French Literature and a Bachelor in English studies. As much as I am passionate about sharing my own language and culture, I also love travelling and this will be my third year living in the US.

Like I did over the past year, I will be tutoring for the French department at 黑料情报站, as well as leading conversation classes and the language tables. Whether you need help for an exam or just feel like chatting in French, please feel welcome to drop by during my tutoring hours !

I look forward to seeing you again, à bient?t !

Drop-in Hours:

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall Sunday, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m; Monday, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Wednesday, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Mikatrin Heynen
Mikatrin Heynen

Hallo!! My name is Mikatrin Heynen and I am a sophomore Biology major from Cupertino, California. I grew up speaking German at home and attended a German school from preschool through second grade. At 黑料情报站, I have reconnected to my German language skills after studying Spanish from elementary through high school. Last year, I hosted a biweekly German conversation group as well as the Wednesday language tables. I love to talk about anything related to German culture, food, traditions, and language, and I can't wait to help in any way I can. 

Drop-in Hours:

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall Sunday, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m

Ava Lalonde
Ava Lalonde_Peer Language Tutor in Ancient Greek

Hello! I’m Ava, and I’m a senior CSLC major with an Ancient Greek emphasis and have minors in CTSJ and Spanish. I’ve been taking Ancient Greek since my first year and have experienced the highs and lows of learning the language. I’m here to help in any way I can along your Greek journey, so please stop by and we can work through translations, conjugations, vocabulary, and much more together! Learning Greek can be so rewarding and fun, and my goal is to help you enjoy it as much as possible :) 

Drop-in Hours:

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall  Sunday, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.; Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Olivia Lampel
Olivia Lampel_Peer Language Tutor in Japanese

Hey! My name is Olivia Lampel, I’m an undeclared sophomore at 黑料情报站 but am hoping to major in Sociology and minor in Japanese studies. I’m half Japanese and spent the first several years of my life living in Japan. I grew up living in several different countries so I absolutely love learning and experiencing new cultures! I’ve studied Japanese throughout my schooling and also speak it consistently with family and friends. I’ve been able to learn more about the history of Japan and its culture through 黑料情报站’s translation and comparative literature classes and I’m excited to share my knowledge with all of you! Don’t be afraid to drop by and say hi:)

Drop-in Hours

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall  Sunday, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday & Thursday, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

Charlie Sears
Charlie Sears_Latin

Salvēte! I’m Charlie, a senior in the CSLC department studying English, French, and Latin. I have been a student of Latin for nearly 10 years. In Latin, I found a passion for language that has become the focus of my  studies, as well as skills with grammar and vocabulary that have carried into other languages, including English. I believe that the skills required to learn Latin are incredibly beneficial for all kinds of language learning, and that its completely different structure lends itself to a unique beauty and experience in language. Stop by if you’re looking for help with Latin’s difficult memorization process, for study tips or just to talk about language!

Drop-in Hours

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall   Sunday, 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.; Tuesday 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.; & Thursday, 4:45- 5:45 p.m.

Serine Bedros
Serine_Peer Tutor in Russian in front of a blue door in Greece

Привет! I’m Serine, a CSLC major and History and Russian double minor, and I’ll be your Russian peer tutor this semester. I’m from L.A., but growing up, I lived in Armenia and Syria, so there have always been many different languages spoken in my house and I can understand the complexities of learning a new language. Coming from a post-soviet country and growing up with a Russian speaking parent, I’m somewhat of a heritage speaker and can also understand some of the broader cultural aspects. I’ve been taking Russian at 黑料情报站 since I was a freshman and now enjoy working with Professor Sushytska on translation projects. Russian is a beautiful but challenging language to learn, so I’ll be here to help with any specifics like pronunciation, grammar, and homework. But besides that, I’m always open to talking about more general things like study strategies, working with different languages, and more Eastern European cultural stuff like food, movie, and music recs! Please do not hesitate to drop in during my hours or contact me.

Drop-in Hours

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall Sunday, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Mercedes Garcia: Visiting Language Assistant

Mercedes Garcia

?Hola! My name is Mercedes García, and I’m from Huelva, a beautiful city on the southwest coast of Spain. I have a degree in Hispanic Philology and two Master’s degrees — one in Education and another in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language.

I’ve lived in different cities across Spain, like Seville and Granada, and I’ve always been fascinated by the mix of cultures and the chance to meet people from different backgrounds. I also love art and sports, as I believe both are great ways to express ourselves and connect with others.

I’m really excited to meet you, learn about your culture and share with you the richness and diversity of the Spanish language. It will be a pleasure to support you in your learning journey, whether that’s in tutoring sessions, conversation classes, or just around campus.

?Nos vemos muy pronto!

Drop-in Hours

McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson Hall   Sunday, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, 4:00 to 5:00p.m.; Thursday, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

 

Mireia Martinez, Visiting Language Assitant

Photo of Mireia, Spanish Tutor in front of Playa de la Concha

?Hola, hola!

My name is Mireia Martinez, and I’m from Zaragoza, a beautiful city in the north of Spain.

I have a bachelor’s degree in Translation and Interpreting, with English and Mandarin Chinese as my main languages. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to live in Granada, Portsmouth (UK), and Minnesota. Each of these places showed me just how big the world is and how much we can learn from different cultures and the people we meet along the way.

I’m delighted to be joining the 黑料情报站 VLA and Tutoring teams and to support you on your Spanish-learning journey. I’m sure we’ll learn from one another, and I hope this will be a fun and enriching experience for all of us.

Coffee, books, languages, travel—you name it! I’m always happy to chat.

?Nos vemos muy pronto!

Questions about the program? Email Luz Forero at lforero@oxy.edu.

Contact Language Study & Placement
Luz Forero
Language Education Specialist
Office: Johnson Hall 114A