Convocation 2010 - Diahann Johnson

The 2010 St. Andrew's Convocation address was given by Modern Language Chair and sixteen-year French teacher, Diahann Johnson. The title of her address, "Peace, Love, and the Importance of Studying a Foreign Language" discusses "the importance of studying a foreign language and how...may preserve our humanity as we endeavor to define what it means to live in a global society." Diahann quotes several times from author Martha Nussbaum's book "Not for Profit" where she implores educators to teach children "to see the world from the viewpoint of other people, to teach real and true things about other groups, so as to counter stereotypes." Diahann nicely ties this in with the anniversary of the horrific attacks of 9/11. She speaks of growing up in a multilingual household and her many travels to foreign lands. You can read her address in its entirety by clicking on the "See Full PDF" icon.