Modern Languages/Literatures (MDLL)

An exploration of significant questions and concepts, beliefs and creative visions, theories and discoveries in Modern Languages for first-year students. Although topics vary, the courses also seek to improve students' communication skills beyond the written word.

Language study completed through William & Mary Global Education Programs in languages not currently offered at the College of William and Mary. The course may be repeated for credit if level or language varies.

Students will learn the use of various current technologies that have a direct impact on their cousework in Modern Language study. Topics to include using online references, creating websites and digital presentations, video editing, etc.

MDLL 300 is a 1.5-credit experiential course open to the residents of William & Mary’s International Language Houses. It is designed to be taken twice during the same academic year: students will enroll in MDLL 300 in the Fall and in MDLL 300 in the Spring for a total of 3 credits. To satisfy COLL 300 requirement this course must be repeated for a total of 3 credits within the same academic year.

Instructional methodology for teaching foreign languages including English as a second or foreign language. Focus on skill development, curriculum planning, assessment, cultural instruction, and technology in foreign language teaching.

How are foreign languages acquired? Factors influencing individual variation in skill and fluency include language transfer, optimal input, age, learning styles and language dysfunction. Focus on foreign language acquisition with respect to learning theory, and physical, cognitive and social development.

Curriculum design for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: the development of ESL lessons and materials, adaptation of content instruction for English Language Learners; cross-cultural factors faced when integrating ELLs into content classes and communication with ELL family members. A student may receive credit for MDLL 347 or MDLL 348, but not both.

Logistics and practical considerations in preparing to teach English abroad; social, cultural and institutional influences on the overseas classroom, curriculum design and materials development, lesson planning, specific approaches and techniques for adapting to less than ideal teaching settings. A student may receive credit for MDLL 347 or MDLL 348, but not both.

The topic of this course will vary from year to year, but will cover material related to literary, linguistic or cultural aspects of world civilizations.

The internship/practicum in TESOL provides students the opportunityto apply in a practical setting, the theories, techniques and strategies of TESOL.  Requirements include a pre-approved project, a journal, a portfolio and final paper or presentation.

A mentored teaching internship experience in foreign language pedagogy. Students will work closely with faculty to assist in fostering student language learning while developing their own teaching skills.

Designed to permit an in-depth study in an area of foreign language pedagogy or second language acquisition not available in current course offerings. A written petition to the instructor and approval are required before registration.

A seminar in foreign language teaching pedagogy for teachers and prospective teachers about second language acquisition with a focus on classroom applications. May be offered abroad by William and Mary faculty.

This course combines an internship experience in Washington, D.C. with individual research supervised by the Washington Program instructor and results in a substantial paper. Only students already accepted into the Washington Program are eligible to enroll.