Modern Language & Classics
Our mission is to provide quality education in languages, literatures, and cultures.
Modern Language & Classics
Contact
Williams Hall, Room 201
Orono, ME 04469
About
We prepare University of Maine students to successfully take their place in the new global century. We offer courses that teach the past as well as the present, with special emphasis on the linguistic, literary, and cultural heritage of French and Spanish. In today’s global society, being conversant in more than one language is a vital skill. As of 2010, more than 40 million people residing in the U.S. were born in another country , and according to the Center for Immigration Studies, one in five speaks a language other than English at home. The U.S. is also one of the premiere tourist destinations for travelers from around the world. Finally, growing expansion of U.S. businesses abroad and foreign investments within the U.S. spell job opportunities for those who can communicate in more than one language. Even if you never leave the U.S., with the exponential growth of e-commerce world-wide, you will undoubtedly encounter languages other than English in your professional life.
All languages are useful in today’s global economy. U.S. businesses are expanding around the globe, and scientists increasingly work on multi-national projects. The choice of language(s) is yours, and is determined by your interests. The good news is that once you are competent in a second language, it is much easier to learn a third or fourth, so you can always add another. Even Latin, while no longer spoken, will give you a stronger understanding of English, French, German and Spanish grammar and vocabulary.
Undergraduate Studies
The Department of Modern Languages and Classics (MLC) offers undergraduate majors in French and Spanish, and International Affairs, plus minors in French, Spanish and Classical Studies. The department also offers courses in many other languages like German, Hebrew, ASL, and VOx critical languages like Japanese, Italian, Chinese, Russian, and Korean, preparing students for global careers.
Graduate Studies
The Department of Modern Languages and Classics offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) French; a Master of Arts (M.A.) in French with optional concentrations in French Literature or North American French Studies. Individuals interested in applying should consult the graduate coordinator of the Department of Modern Languages and Classics for specific information on admission and graduation requirements.
VOX/Critical Language Program
This program uses a self-instructional method for language learning. The major responsibility belongs to the student, who works with a tutor-instructor who is a native speaker of the target language. The method used is loosely based on the one used by the Foreign Service Institute. It is effective because it requires active, committed learning by students. At the early stages of language acquisition, the most important thing is to practice, to overlearn material, to have accurate linguistic models, and to have appropriate, adequate materials. The Critical Languages Program has all of these features.
Students are expected to make full use of all the required course materials, which provide grammar explanations, vocabulary, and the opportunity to develop listening comprehension, all of which are intended to assist in the development of speaking skills. Students must listen to audio recordings and practice speaking outside of class to be fully prepared to participate in the practice sessions with the native speaker and achieve the desired oral proficiency outcome for the course.
Classes meet three hours (150 minutes) each week in small tutorials of four to eight students.
