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The Foreign Language program at Lake Michigan College offers two styles of learning. French, German, and Spanish are offered in a traditional classroom setting. Italian, Japanese, Polish, Mandarin Chinese, and Russian are presented in a self-instructional language program format.

Expectations and Skills Taught

Self-Instructional Language Program
The self-instructional language programs teach conversational styles of speaking outside of a classroom setting. Much of your learning will happen in the convenience of your own home. Many courses enroll only a few students. "Many find this program very helpful if they are planning a trip to another county, or if they are in the business industry," states LMC program coordinator Dr. K. Sundaram.

These programs require that you work on your own outside of a classroom setting. Once a week, you will meet with a tutor to review correct pronunciation and ask questions. Because of the small class size, you receive personalized attention and quick and accurate responses. Supplemental videos, CDs, and workbooks will help in your studies.

There is no assigned class work in these programs. Instead, your grade will be determined by one comprehensive oral and written examination at the end of the semester. This one-time examination will test your knowledge of your chosen foreign language. This exam is administered by an examiner recognized by the National Association of SILP.

"If you choose to take a self-instructional course, you must be self-disciplined. Meeting once a week is not enough to learn a language. You must make the effort to review the material on your own, each and every day. Only practice will help you meet your language goals," states Dr. Sundaram.

Two semesters of each language is offered in this format.

Traditional Classroom Setting
Most Spanish, French, and German courses meet two times a week during which time new vocabulary and cultural aspects are introduced. Workbook activities, textbook readings, homework, and tests are assigned to challenge your foreign language knowledge.

If you are a beginner, you will enroll in the first semester courses. These are introductory courses that establish basic vocabulary and grammar.

By the second semester, you will be putting theses words into context, answering questions, developing full sentences, learning about the culture, and beginning to write paragraphs.

The third semester will have you reading excerpts from books, furthering your knowledge of grammar, and writing longer and more complicated papers.

During the fourth semester, you can expect to begin translating, and writing papers based on readings, movies, and outside classroom experiences. Some courses include field trips.

If you are studying Spanish, there is a fifth semester course available. This semester will have you polishing oral and written communication skills.

These classes usually have a fifteen-to-one student-to-teacher ratio.

Where Do I Place?
Many students who have taken a foreign language in high school wonder where they might place at the collegiate level. If you feel that you are beyond first semester courses, make an appointment with Dr. K. Sundaram. In this appointment you will have a conversation in the foreign language you have studied. From this conversation, Dr. Sundaram will suggest where you should begin your LMC foreign language studies. You can contact Dr. Sundaram at sundaram@lakemichigancollege.edu.

Technology in the Classroom
A variety of technologies are used in conjunction with traditional lecture and hands-on activities. PowerPoint presentations, videos, DVDs, the Internet and materials available on Blackboard - the College's instructional Intranet - play an important role in class.

Getting the Most From the Program
By keeping in touch with your advisor, you can make sure you are on track and if necessary, your plan can be revised to adjust for any circumstances that may change your available time to complete the program.