Modern Foreign Languages
Modern Foreign Languages Department
Evelyn Spratt, Ph.D., Interim Dean, School of Arts, Sciences and Business
Rachel L. Burk, Ph.D., Chair
Marcela Valencia, Ph.D.
MFL Campuses
MFL Summary
Welcome! Bienvenue! ¡Bienvenidos! Gain advanced proficiency in two modern languages through individualized attention, integrated technology, and communication-focused coursework. Our students take their language skills from the classroom into the NDMU community and the larger world via study abroad, service learning, language-exchange partners, clubs, and internships.
General Education Language Requirement
Native Speakers of English
Traditional undergraduate students, both first-year and transfer, may fulfill the general education foreign language requirement in one of three ways:
- AP Exam: Provide evidence of an earned grade of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement Language or Literature exam
- Language Department Placement Exam: Place into the advanced level (301) on the language department placement exam. (These students may wish to satisfy the General Education Literature Requirement through a literature course in the foreign language.)
- Coursework: Complete one course at the intermediate level (103, 233 or 234), preferably building upon foreign language skills acquired at the secondary level.
Traditional undergraduate students, ages 25 years and older at the time of matriculation, as well as students in the College of Adult Undergraduate Studies, may fulfill the General Education Language Requirement in one of two ways:
- Exam: Provide evidence of completion of one semester of foreign language study through the Advanced Placement Language or Literature exam or the CLEP test (available in French, Spanish, and German through the College Board).
- Coursework: Complete one semester at the appropriate level (101,102,103 or higher).
Native speakers of English who are bilingual should consult with the Chair of Modern Foreign Languages for guidance regarding the language requirement.
Language courses that satisfy the general education language requirement are: 103, 233, 234 or any Latin course above the 102-level.
Languages Offered through 103-level
Courses at the 101, 102 and 103 levels in French, Latin, and Spanish are taught regularly on the NDMU main campus. Classes in other languages may be taken via the Baltimore College Consortium to fulfill the general education language requirement and as an elective.
Non-Native Speakers of English
International students may fulfill the general education foreign language requirement in one of three ways:
- TOEFL Exam: At entrance, provide evidence of a score of 550 or higher on the TOEFL exam, or 213 or higher on the TOEFL: BT Test or 80 or higher on the IBT Test.
- English Language Institute Placement Exam: At entrance, score on the advanced level on all parts of the language department's English Placement Test.
- ELI Placement Exam: Complete LEF-203, LEF-204 or LCL-331, based on the results of the English Placement Test.
Placement Testing
Placement testing will assure every student studies at a level consistent with her current abilities. Students at Notre Dame must complete one semester of foreign language at the intermediate level (103) or above. The sequence of foreign language courses offered is as follows:
Course Code | Course Title |
---|---|
101-102 | Beginning Spanish I and II (do not fulfill the language requirement) |
103 | Intermediate Spanish I (Courses beginning at this level fulfill language requirement.) |
233/234 | Spanish for Oral/Written Proficiency |
301-302 | Advanced Conversation and Composition I and II |
Placement result | Courses needed to fulfill the language requirement |
---|---|
101 | 101, 102, 103 |
Start a new language | 101, 102, 103 |
102 | 102, 103 |
103 | 103 |
233 | 233 |
234 | 234 |
Students who have achieved a score of 3 or above on the Advanced Placement Language or Literature Test are considered to have fulfilled the language requirement. No additional courses are required.
Transfer students
Those who have studied a foreign language at the college-level satisfy the requirement with one course at the intermediate level. Beginning, college-level coursework in a foreign language serves as a prerequisite for 102 or 103. Those students who have college level language credit must make this information known to their advisors! Since course numbering varies, failure to do so may result in taking the same course twice and being denied credit.
Programs of Study: Modern Foreign Languages
To declare a Major or a Minor in the Department, a student must have a minimum grade of C in the course that satisfies the General Education language requirement. All courses in the Major and the Minor must be completed with a grade of C or above. Double major programs may be developed through consultation with academic advisors from each department.
The Languages Department strongly recommends that students who Major or Minor in foreign language study abroad. All such courses must be pre-approved by the University in advance of the study abroad year or semester.
French Campuses
French Summary
Bienvenue à notre programme de français! Our program of study integrates exciting interactive technology, small classes, communication-focused coursework and individualized attention. Our students take French from the classroom into the NDMU community and the larger world via study abroad, service learning, language-exchange partners, internships and a partnership with the Alliance Française of Baltimore.
Spanish Campuses
Main Campus
Anne Arundel Community College
College of Southern Maryland (CSM)
Southern Maryland Higher Education Center (SMHEC)
University Center Northeastern Maryland (formerly the HEAT Center)
Spanish Summary
¡Bienvenidos al programa de español! Learn to speak the third most popular language in the world through individualized attention, integrated technology, and communication-focused coursework. Our students take Spanish from the classroom into the NDMU community and the larger world via study abroad, service learning, language-exchange partners, the Hispanic Culture Club, and internships. ¡Qué aproveche!
Spanish courses cover essential language structures, practical communication, and cultural learning. Small classes, close relationships with professors, multimedia technology, and interactions with native speakers encourage general education students to speak, write, listen, and read in Spanish while gaining perspectives on the Hispanic world. Majors and minors in Spanish refine their language skills and at the same time immerse themselves in Hispanic literature, history, film, art, and culture, locally and internationally.
Degrees and Certificates
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Modern Foreign Languages, Major -
Spanish, Major -
French, Minor -
Latin American Studies, Minor -
Spanish, Minor