The Written Language

Sarah Mosser: Breaking the English barrier one student at a time

Linn-Benton lives up to its name as a community college. It does so by welcoming students from all walks of life.

The English Language Learner Instructional Assistant, Sarah Mosser, came to Linn-Benton in September 2014. She is also a part-time instructor teaching a course fall term: Applied Learning Strategies. ELL stands for English Language Learner. Students who don’t speak English as their primary language at home come to Mosser for assistance.

In the Writing Center Mosser is available Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.

Mosser’s education began at Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, Pa. She then moved to Oregon to receive her Master of Rhetoric and Composition at Oregon State University.

There is a wide variety of languages Mosser experiences on a daily basis: Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian.

“The languages are more diverse than we realize,” said Mosser.

Mosser focuses on the writing process: brainstorming, content, organization, and grammar. Her goal is to take the instructions the instructors have given to the students and help them make sense to the students who might not comprehend them because of a potential language barrier.

Repetition and feedback is an important factor in Mosser’s work. It is imperative that each student receive assistance that is helpful to them specifically. Being able to help them and make it easier for them to understand is all in a day’s work for Mosser.

“Sarah loves working with ELL students, and I think they feel her interest and support. Because of her training, she is better able to explain complex issues of grammar like the many rules guiding article and preposition use,” said Victoria Fridley, writing center coordinator. “She is also aware of some of the specific struggles that may stem from the differences between English and the ELL student's native language, as well as some of the cultural differences regarding composition styles and structure.”

Mosser expressed fulfillment in being available to help students achieve a better understanding of the English language. She doesn’t like to see students struggle by themselves in a foreign language such as English.

“Students have been really eager and willing to learn,” said Mosser.

Hotel Transylvania 2 Movie Review

Three years after the first frightful thrills, Sony Pictures Animation brought the “Hotel Transylvania” crew to the big screen for more laughs.

Mavis (Selena Gomez) and Jonathan (Andy Samberg) zinged in the first “Hotel Transylvania.” It is only natural for Sony Pictures Animation to create a wedding scene in the beginning of the second film. Soon after the marriage scene between Mavis and Jonathan comes baby Dennis (Asher Blinkoff). The film has a decision to be made: is he going to be a monster or a human? Mavis has to make a decision, and it will affect her son Dennis’ life drastically.

This sequel had plenty of relatability to today’s parental issues in society. With so many decisions to be made, it is no wonder this film was created as it was.

The film featured a mother’s wariness about leaving her child with a grandparent or anyone else for that matter. Being able to leave a child with someone isn’t easy, regardless of the trust factor. Parents experience all kinds of emotions from the moment of finding a sitter to the moment they leave the child with the sitter. It can stir up feelings some didn’t even know existed. “Hotel Transylvania 2” did a good job depicting this between the anxious mother Mavis and the relaxed “vampa” Dracula (Adam Sandler).

“Hotel Transylvania 2” also had some seriously funny moments throughout. Those who have seen the first film will remember Dracula repeatedly saying that he doesn’t say blah, blah, blah. In a scene in “Hotel Transylvania 2,” Mavis calls to Dracula and Jonathan to come quickly to find out that Dennis has said his first words: blah, blah, blah. Dracula isn’t pleased by this one bit. Mavis and Jonathan deny teaching Dennis this word.

Another memorable scene is Dennis’ delivery. Dracula wasn’t allowed in the delivery room, but of course he wouldn’t allow that to stop him. He dressed up as nurse Francine and in the room he went. Mavis knew his true identity the whole time. The funniest part of that scene was when a male zombie nurse came up, sprayed mint breath spray in the mouth, and tapped “Francine” on the butt. Dracula turned so quickly toward the zombie and that poor zombie nurse didn’t stand a chance. He said, “My bad.”

Another scene that can’t go without mention was when Mavis insisted that her father Dracula have the hotel baby-proofed. There were witches with corks on their noses, knights with corks on the tips of their swords, and a baby gate at the bottom of a staircase that leads to an abyss of darkness. Then the construction guy who just put in the baby gate stood there in shock. It was some seriously twisted humor.

The film really brought family life into perspective. Dracula was consumed by keeping his daughter Mavis and grandson Dennis at Hotel Transylvania. While Mavis and Jonathan went to California to find a potential location to live, Dracula took Dennis on a journey to find his inner monster. Along the way they have adventures, and in the end, Dennis finds his monster.  

For a ghoulish delight checkout “Hotel Transylvania 2.” It will definitely bring out the laughs in a family night out.

DIRECTOR: Genndy Tartakovsky

STARRING: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, and David Spade.

PRODUCTION: Sony Pictures Animation

GENRE: Fantasy/Action

RATED: PG

OVERALL RATING: 3.5 stars out of 5  

Halloween Office Contest

Linn-Benton faculty in the spirit of Halloween

Across the campus offices could be seen decorated in the spirit of Halloween.

On Wednesday, Oct. 28, Linn-Benton faculty participated in a Halloween office-decorating contest.

There were multiple offices across campus competing for the win, such as Albany Community Education, Admission and Registration, College Advancement Foundation, Human Resources, and Healthcare, LB iLearn, and Business Employer Service.

Each office had a theme: The Body Shop, pirates, circus, retired superheroes, and a haunted office.

Albany Community Education was The Body Shop. Holding down the shop were Melissa Richey as the evil clown, Chris Nystrom wearing a chest full of knives, and Emily Jerderlinich as Dracula.

The Community Education office welcomed guests with the sound of haunting music and a body hanging from the ceiling in the center of the office. On the counter sat three boxes with mysterious concoctions inside. If guests dared to place their hands into the boxes, they possibly found out what lay inside.

Admissions and Registration were ready to set sail with Captain Jack Sparrow.

Located in Willamette Hall was a mini circus. Beyond the front desk there was a tight rope, balloon animals, a fortune teller, a Barbie doll missing a limb, and a shadow wall with dark creatures.

The Calapooia Center was transformed into The Faded Powers Rest Home for Tired and Retired Super Heroes. These folks were too kind to haunt anyone. There was Bat Woman, Hulk, Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Flash, Catwoman, Super Old Girl, Auntie Biotic, and the Nurse.

Just beyond the brightly lit hall lay the dark and spooky human resources office. At the counter was the previous Diana Ward. She wasn’t herself -- she was a zombie now. Off in the distance were skeletons, DJ Kronstiner and Tess Cox. Even further back, in the dark office lit only by a monitor, sat dressed as Dracula, Deana Culbertson. Out from the shadows stepped Hannibal Lecter, Scott Rolen. Spiderwebs hung from the ceiling. Bloody hand prints painted the wall above a row of graves. There was even a gelatin brain with a scoop to serve up the tasty treat.

This year’s winner of the Halloween office decorating contest, drum roll please: Human Resources. The prize is a headless RoadRunner trophy which will remain with them for a year. The trophy carries the responsibility of being next year’s judges. This year’s runner up is the office of Admissions and Registration.