6A / NEWS / TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26. 2010 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM
Class for casual Spanish learners offered at local church
BY SARA SNEATH editor@kansan.com
With an ever-growing number of Spanish speakers in the United States, some students wonder why the Spanish Department does not offer a Spanish minor. But a local community church has stepped in to fill the gap.
Twice a week, budding Spanish speakers of all ages gather in a classroom at Plymouth Community Church, 925 Vermont St., to learn and practice the second-most commonly spoken language in the United States.
Last year, Plymouth Church started offering English classes
aimed at the Spanish speaking community. Yet what they found was an equal number of English
speakers wanting to learn Spanish.
Westlander, the class coordinator, said many people have been interested in the classes.
"There are people from all
ond session — it began in August and ends in December — and the church has added an intermediate
"There are people from all over — church members, community members, students, and retirees."
people from over - church members, community members, students and retirees," she said.
LIZ WESTLANDER Class Coordinator
The class is now in its sec-
level.
According to KU Spanish and Portuguese advising specialist Britta Ernst, the Spanish department has never offered a minor nor does it intend to soon.
Department chair Stuart Day said that the department did not have sufficient resources right now to offer a Spanish minor.
While there are many creative ways for personal practice such as reading children's books in Spanish, watching films with Spanish subtitles and listening to Spanish radio — there are fewer options for conversational practice, especially for those with shallow pockets.
For students who want to learn Spanish without majoring in it, Plymouth's classes are a viable option. The class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday classes focus on grammar and vocabulary and Thursday classes focus on conversations with a native Spanish speaker. Plymouth asks for a $35
to $50 donation for 18 classes and members are welcome to start and stop at any time during the session.
reviewing the possibility of a Spanish minor in the future.
Day said that a task force is
Edited By Joel Petterson
COMMUNITY SPANISH CLASSES
WHEN: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 to 8 p.m.
WHERE: Plymouth Community Church, 925
Vermont St.
COST: $35 to $50 donation requested for 18 classes
TOUCHDOWN TUESDAYS THIS WEEK 20% OFF
Every Tuesday following a Kansas Football game, the KU Bookstore offers a 5% discount for each touchdown KU scored the previous game, up to 30% off with a minimum of 20% off each tuesday.
INTERNATIONAL
Canadian terrorist leader receives 16-year sentence
ASSOCIATED PRESS
BRAMPTON, Ontario — The ringleader of a homegrown terrorist group was sentenced Monday to 16 years in prison for leading a terror cell plotting to attack Canada's Parliament buildings, electrical grids and nuclear stations.
Fahim Ahmad had pleaded guilty in May mid-trial to participating in a terrorist group, importing firearms and instructing his co-accused to carry out an activity for a terrorist group.
Ahmad and 17 others were arrested and charged with terrorism offenses in 2006. The group became known as the Toronto 18.
The court heard that Ahmad, 26, was the leader of a terror cell and held two training camps to assess his recruits' suitability. Under his direction, plans were made to attack nuclear stations
and storm Parliament, taking politicians hostage until Canada gave in to his demands to pull troops from Afghanistan.
Ontario Superior Court of Justice Fletcher Dawson ruled that even though Ahmad was the leader of the plot and the person who tried to put together an al-Qaidatype cell, he was not effective at it and was never close to actually carrying out any of his threatened attacks.
Dawson awarded Ahmad double credit for the four years he has already spent in custody, meaning the justice system will consider he has already served more than eight years of his sentence. He will be eligible for parole in another 3 1/2 years.
In his reasons for the sentence, Ontario Superior Court of Justice Fletcher Dawson said he took into account Ahmad has no previous criminal record, and shows remorse.
"I am not dealing with someone who remains openly defiant," Dawson said. "Perhaps I'm only optimistic, but I see prospects of rehabilitation."
Ahmad was emotionless as the judge read his decision, but later turned around to smile at supporters gathered in the courtroom. He declined to say anything before being sentenced.
The prosecution had suggested 18 years to life in prison, while the defense asked for about 12 years.
Outside the Brampton, Ontario courtroom, prosecution lawyer Croft Michaelson said he was pleased with the sentence. "We've sent out a strong signal to the community that these type of offenses will not be tolerated in Canada, and it reflects the seriousness of the crime," he said.