That's a wrap!

The WEA education institution boasts a language program larger than any tertiary institution in Adelaide, with 25 languages on offer, and I'm delighted to coordinate the Constructed language program.

The first class for Conlangs ran from March 16 to April 27, and it was very popular, with a waitlist of students eager to register for the next course commencing in the second half of 2024!

The course analysed constructed languages. It classified them into Auxiliary Languages (Auxlangs), such as Esperanto, Ido and Volapük, and Artistically-Constructed Languages (Artlangs), such as Klingon, Quenya, High Valyrian, and Dothraki, providing knowledge in a language such as greetings; introduction, emotion, and a farewell; unique characteristics; and the influence of the language family on global society.

In the images above, I presented a linguistic workshop, Language in Action ©Stuart A Blair, where students learning a second language created a story sequentially and acted out their adventure using the target language.

Qapla'

Success, Success!

My recent speaking tour in Melbourne, Victoria, was a success!

I presented Masterclasses to university lecturers and school teachers, teaching them how to use sequential art, language meditation, improvisation, and drama as communication mediums in the second language classroom. 

Stuart is seen here at St Aloysius College in Melbourne, Victoria, discussing his thesis research into Franco-Belgian comics and their impact on global society. The presentation also covered how these works can be used as a communication medium in second-language classrooms.

Here we have Stuart, engaging reception to year 7 children in the School of Languages Languages Alive program, with his French language teachings. He introduced his innovative class, Language in Action, to educators and students, showcasing how sequential art, improvisation, and drama can be used as effective communication tools in the second language classroom.

 

Stuart is seen here demonstrating improvisation during an English language class to international students and professionals.

Stuart's linguistics presentations about Japanese animation for schools are enjoyed across age demographics!

Stuart's national speaking tour of Australia attracts many scholars and enthusiasts of linguistics and popular culture to his presentations!During his thesis speaking engagements, Stuart discusses sequential art and the influence of visual storytelling on global society.

To find out more about the program, click through via the above image to contact me about a package to suit your educational institution!

An exciting public lecture on October 15!

The Constructed language, Klingon was alive and well at the WEA learning institution's 110th Birthday celebration on October 15!

I delivered a public lecture about languages constructed for the entertainment industry (Conlangs) as part of an Open Day showcasing the vast selection of subjects on offer at the educational centre.

Click through to the WEA website for course information. WEA website

Constructed Language Lectures at The University of Adelaide

I'm having an absolute hoot with linguistics students at The University of Adelaide lecturing about the exciting world of Constructed languages.

The two-hour lecture investigates languages created for the entertainment industry—Constructed languages (Conlangs).The lecture analyses constructed languages. It classifies them into Auxiliary Languages (Auxlangs), such as Esperanto, Ido and Volapük, and Artistically-constructed Languages (Artlangs), such as Klingon, Quenya, High Valyrian, and Dothraki, providing basic knowledge in a language such as greetings; introduction, emotion, and a farewell; a unique characteristic; the influence of the language family on global society and information about where it might be possible to continue to learn one of more than 450 Constructed languages in Australia or online.

Thanks to Dr Eve Afifa Kheir | Faculty of Arts, Business & Economics, The University of Adelaide, for including me in the program of lectures.

Warp speed ahead!

I continue working on my book projects, The Adventures of Paris and Freddie, an exciting bilingual storybook adventure in French and English set in the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, including Auslan, Australian sign language. 

With the production of The Adventures of Paris and Freddie well underway, it's time to introduce some of our leading characters in the first story! 

Click through to the Paris and Freddie Facebook Page!

Special thanks to illustrator, Jo Hassam from joannahassam.art for bringing the crew to life!

Click through to the Adventures of Paris and Freddie Facebook Page to learn more about Paris, Freddie, and her groovy cosplay crew!

The Adventures of Paris and Freddie launches in 2024!

A second book project is an extension of my thesis investigations of the creator of Tintin and the controversy surrounding his life and career during the Second World War and the context, stereotypes, representations, and controversies in Franco-Belgian comic book literature and children's stories.

I'm presenting excerpts of my thesis investigations and book projects during my winter speaking tour for schools and literary events!

Stay tuned!