Department of Romance Languages
Programs in Spanish
Modified Foreign Language Program in Spanish
Since the fall of 2004, the Department of Romance Languages has offered a Modified Foreign Language Program in Spanish. This program, sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences, is designed to meet the needs of at-risk foreign language students and help them to achieve their goal of successfully completing their study of a foreign language. Students are provided options and accommodations for their special needs while agreeing to a rigorous commitment to the program.
This program consists of a designated section of Spa 101 and Spa 203 (fall semester) and Spa 102 and Spa 204 (spring semester). We hope to expand the program and offer a section of each level per semester. Students will be able to complete their foreign language requirement by completing the modified sequence at the Intermediate level (Spa 203 and Spa 204).
The aim of the Modified Foreign Language Program is to help students reach their goals and meet their curricular demands. The objective of the program is multiple as it provides the student with more individualized instruction in the target language along with academic advising, monitoring of students’ progress and help to understand their specific language/learning problems.
This program will be available to:
- Students with documented learning disabilities
- Students with demonstrable long standing difficulties learning a foreign language
The Modified Program in Spanish is designed to provide at-risk students in foreign languages with instructional support conducive to student success:
- Students will work with specially selected and trained instructors
- Tutors will be assigned for students in the modified language program
- Students will use the same textbooks as in the traditional course sequence
- Instructors will use a multi-sensory approach reinforced by repetition, review and detailed explanations of grammar and pronunciation. Students will be introduced to effective learning strategies.
Registration in the Modified Foreign Language Program requires written permission from the Department of Romance Languages. Students will need to send all necessary documentation to the MFL Program Coordinator.
Procedure for Participation
In order to qualify for this program, students will be required to provide the following documentation:
- A personal letter articulating the reasons why she/he should be admitted into the program
- A letter of support from his/her major advisor or faculty member with whom the student works closely or preferably a current/previous language instructor
- Letter of support from the Learning Assistance Center (if student has received services from this office)
- Letter of Support from Disabilities Services (if the student is registered with this office)
- Unofficial transcripts from UNCG or other institutions where the student has taken a foreign language previously
- Completed MFLP survey
Suggested dates for application are March 15 (fall semester) and October 15 (spring semester).
Students will be contacted to set up an appointment for an interview and to sign an “Agreement for Inclusion in the Modified Foreign Language Program in Spanish.” This document details for the student specific rules for attendance, class participation and general expectations. Agreement for Inclusion in the MFLP.
Please note that applications will be reviewed as they are received. Students will continue to be considered until enrollment limits are met. The maximum enrollment in the Modified Foreign Language sequence is (15) students.
Eligible students should be aware that the Modified Foreign Language Sequence is only available in Spanish. Each one of the sequences (Elementary/Intermediate) will be taught by the same instructor.
Description of the four-semester sequence
Controlled environment: |
Maximum if 15 students |
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Homogeneous student population |
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Students screened by Department of Romance Languages with assistance from the Office of Disability Services |
Instructors: |
Specially trained instructors to teach the entire Elementary/Intermediate sequence |
Tutors: |
Free, mandatory tutoring by an assigned tutor |
Agreement of enrollment: |
Exemplary attendance |
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On-time arrival for class sessions |
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Full, positive participation in class activities |
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Utilization of tutoring services |
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Good communication with instructor |
Characteristics of class: |
Multi-sensory approach |
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High degree of structure on class |
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Explicit instruction in pronunciation and grammar rules |
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Attention to affective issues |
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Adjusted pace |
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Adjusted content |
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Extended time and/or separate setting for tests |
For further information, contact:
Ms. Jackie Daughton, Program Coordinator, daughton@rtelco.net
Dr. Carmen T. Sotomayor, Department Head, ctsotoma@uncg.edu
Ms. Mary Culkin, Director, Office of Disability Services, meculkin@uncg.edu
Department of Romance Languages, UNCG
P.O. Box 26170,
Greensboro, NC 27402
Telephone: 336-334-5655
Fax: 336-334-5358