Modern Language Certificate
La Roche University offers a modern language certificate program in French and Spanish. It is designed to develop a working-level speaking ability in a foreign language as well as competency in the other language skills.
The program also provides intensive learning experiences in foreign cultures and customs. Through state-of-the-art methodologies, including computer assisted instruction, various technological aides and other support programs, students are provided with opportunities for individual pacing and reinforcement of language skills.
The department encourages interested students to participate in immersion programs, i.e. language programs in native speaking environments, in order to experience a full exposure to the target language and culture.
The program consists of a sequence of six courses aimed at developing the oral proficiency skills of the student as measured on the ACTFL/ETS national scale. Final testing to qualify for the certificate will take place after a student has completed the Language and Culture II course of the language cycle. Only an "Intermediate-Mid" or above level as measured on the ACTFL/ETS scale will appear on the student's transcript.
Requirements:
Completion of one of the following language cycles with a grade point of "B" or higher:
- French cycle:
MLFR 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002, 3001, 3002
- Spanish cycle:
MLSP1001, 1002, 2001, 2002, 3001, 3002
- Demonstration of oral proficiency at an intermediate or advanced level
- Successful completion of written examination following the fulfillment of the language cycle requirement
NOTE: The Modern Language Certificate Program is not a major. Students may elect to earn a certificate in addition to their major, core, and elective requirements.
Summary of Requirements
French Cycle:
MLFR1001ELEMENTARY FRENCH I
Credits (Min/Max): 4/4
This course is part of a proficiency-based language program designed to provide maximum opportunities for students to develop functional listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in beginning French. The goal of the course is the acquisitions of a useful, communicative command of the language at the Novice-Mid to Novice-High level on the national scale, as established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and the Educational Testing Service. This goal will be realized through maximum exposure to authentic target language input (oral and visual), active oral and written practice of real-life language tasks or functions (conversing with an exchange student, completing forms, etc.) and exploration of cultural subtleties conveyed by language, thought and customs. This course is intended for students with little or no fluency in French.
MLFR1002ELEMENTARY FRENCH II
Credits (Min/Max): 4/4
As a continuation of Elementary French I, this course is part of a proficiency-based language program designed to provide maximum opportunities for students to develop functional listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in beginning French.
The goal of the course is the acquisitions of a useful, communicative command of the language at a Novice Mid to Intermediate Low level on the national scale, as established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and the Educational Testing Service. This goal will be realized through maximum exposure to authentic target-language input (oral and visual), active oral and written practice of real-life language tasks or functions (e.e., conversing with an exchange student, making grocery lists, completing forms, etc.), and exploration of cultural subtleties conveyed by language, thought, and customs.
MLFR2001INTERMEDIATE FRENCH I
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
These courses are designed to build on the student's previous skills, thereby improving oral proficiency. Vocabulary acquisition and the reading of authentic aural and written materials broaden the student's knowledge and linguistic abilities. Classroom activities focus on development of skill in self-expression. The student has many opportunities to expand cultural knowledge through films, videotapes, and informal rendezvous. Course is not open to students with an advanced or superior oral proficiency level in French.
MLFR2002INTERMEDIATE FRENCH II
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course is designed to teach the beginning French student the four basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The focus of this course is the development of aural/oral proficiency by means of vocabulary development, listening and speaking practice, and guided conversation. Class work emphasizes the acquisition of strategies for understanding, authentic listening and reading materials. Through such activities as classroom discussions, videotapes, and films, the student becomes acquainted with various facets of francophone culture. Course is not open to students with an advanced or superior oral proficiency level in French.
MLFR3001ADVANCED FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE I
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course is designed to advance the student's language proficiency through the development of communicative strategies such as: how to express one's feelings; how to get and give advice; how to make plans; how to react to an opinion and how to maintain discussions. The student gains experience in using socially acceptable formats for writing both personal and business correspondence. Through carefully chosen authentic texts, cross-cultural phenomena such as contemporary social issues and business practices are explored.
MLFR3002ADVANCED FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE II
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course is designed to advance the student's language proficiency through the development of communicative strategies such as: how to express one's feelings; how to get and give advice; how to make plans; how to react to an opinion and how to maintain discussions. The student gains experience in using socially acceptable formats for writing both personal and business correspondence. Through carefully chosen authentic texts, cross-cultural phenomena such as contemporary social issues and business practices are explored.
Spanish Cycle:
MLSP1001ELEMENTARY SPANISH I
Credits (Min/Max): 4/4
This course is part of a proficiency-based language program designed to provide maximum opportunities for students to develop functional listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in beginning Spanish. This goal will be realized through maximum exposure to authentic target language input (oral and visual), active oral and written practice of real-life language tasks or functions (conversing with an exchange student, completing forms, etc.) and exploration of cultural subtleties conveyed by language, thought and customs. This course is intended for students with little or no fluency in Spanish.
MLSP1002ELEMENTARY SPANISH II
Credits (Min/Max): 4/4
As a continuation of Elementary Spanish I, this course is part of a proficiency-based language program designed to provide maximum opportunities for students to develop functional listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in beginning Spanish. The goal of the course is the acquistions of a useful, communicative command of the language at a Novice Mid to Intermediate Low level on the national scale, as established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and the Educational Testing Service. This goal will be realized through maximum exposure to authentic target-language input (oral and visual), active oral and written practice of real-life language tasks or functions (e.e., conversing with an exchange student, making grocery lists, completing forms, etc.), and exploration of cultural subtleties conveyed by language, thought, and customs.
MLSP2001INTERMEDIATE SPANISH I
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
As a continuation of Elementary Spanish II, this course is part of a proficiency-based language program designed to provide maximum opportunities for students to develop functional listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in intermediate Spanish. The goal of the course is the acquisition of a useful, communicative command of the language at the Novice High to Intermediate Low level on the national scale as established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and the Educational Testing Service. This goal will be realized through maximum exposure to authentic target-language tasks of functions (e.g., ordering a meal, making travel arrangements, visiting a doctor's office, etc.) and exploration of cultural subtleties conveyed by language, thought and customs.
MLSP2002INTERMEDIATE SPANISH II
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
As a continuation of Intermediate Spanish I, this course is part of a proficiency-bases language program designed to provide maximum opportunities for students to develop functional listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in intermediate Spanish. The goal of the course is the acquisition of a useful, communicative command of the language at a low level on the national scale, as established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and the Education Testing Service. This goal will be realized through maximum exposure to authentic target-language input (oral and visual), active oral and written practice of real-life language tasks or functions (e.g., conversing with an exchange student, going to the bank, using the telephone, going to the doctor's office, etc.), and exploration of cultural subtleties conveyed by language, thought, and customs.
MLSP3001ADVANCED SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE I
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
As a continuation of Intermediate Spanish II, this course is part of a proficiency-based language program designed to provide maximum opportunities for students to develop functional listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in Spanish. The goal of the course is the acquisition of a useful, communicative command of the language at the Intermediate-Low to Intermediate-Mid level on the national scale as established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages(ACTFL) and the Educational Testing Service(ETS). This goal will be realized through maximum exposure to authentic target-language input (oral and visual), active oral and written practice of real life language tasks or functions (e.g. ordering a meal, making travel arrangements, etc.) and exploration of cultural subtleties conveyed by language, thought and customs.
MLSP3002ADVANCED SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE II
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
As a continuation of Advanced Spanish Language & Culture I, this course is part of a proficiency-based language program designed to provide maximum opportunities for students to develop functional listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in Spanish. The goal of the course is the acquisition of a useful communicative command of the language at the "Intermediate-Mid to Intermediate High" levels on the national scale as established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Educational Testing Service (ETS). This goal will be realized through maximum exposure to authentic target-language input (oral and visual), active oral and written practice of real life language tasks of "functions" (e.g. giving suggestions, making plans for the future, etc.) and exploration of cultural subtleties conveyed by language, thought and customs.