MCC to Offer Immersive Online Experiences for Language Learners

Middlesex Community College is committed to providing access to a high-quality education at an affordable cost to students – while keeping all students, faculty and staff safe and healthy. This fall, the college’s World Language Institute (WLI) and Intensive English Institute (IEI) for English Language Learners (ELL) will be offered online.

“Learning any language successfully involves a number of communication skills that have to be developed in order to grow and flourish,” said Marilyn Glazer-Weisner, MCC’s Director of WLI & IEI. “At MCC, we are both excited and proud that we can bring these learning opportunities to students who wish to learn languages online and in a safe environment. We balance our concern for everyone’s safety and good health with positive learning experiences.”

In these online courses, students learn skills for active listening and understanding, speaking and fluency, reading and reading comprehension, writing to demonstrate knowledge of grammar, and understanding of different cultures.

The college’s WLI offers seven different language options as online courses, including Arabic, French, Italian, Japanese, Khmer, Russian and Spanish.

Priya Thangapandian, an MCC WLI faculty member, has helped create an immersive online learning experience that will teach students how to communicate with confidence, learn critical thinking skills, and complete memory-building exercises – including playing online games to learn vocabulary and structure of languages.

“Get attuned to listen and imitate what you hear,” she said. “You can listen to the conversation at a slower speed and imitate a native speaker using the audio lessons in the electronic book. The diverse range of new technologies ensures students will find content perfectly suited to their language skill level, preferred learning style and personal interests, and let the cultures come alive – setting up students to forge deeper connections with languages.”

The IEI helps students develop self-confidence and learn to read, write, speak and listen in English. The 16-week, 18-hours a week program is for ELL students who want to become successful and culturally aware for a U.S. college or university.

According to Susan Wheeler and Rachel Emelock, MCC instructors for the IEI, Middlesex provides courses for non-native speakers of English for students to then start at MCC for a degree or certificate. These online classes allow students to meet with their instructors and fellow students daily. Students will also have access to pre-recorded lessons and tutorials.

“Students can expect daily writing prompts in journals, speaking during collaborative face-to-face sessions, and weekly assignments building their skills so they can succeed in U.S. higher education,” Wheeler and Emelock said. “At MCC, we empower all learners to become productive and socially responsible members of our local and global communities.”

Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/worldlanguageinstitute/ for more information on the World Language Institute. Go to www.middlesex.mass.edu/ell/ to learn more about the Intensive English Institute. Contact Marilyn Glazer-Weisner at 978-656-3350 or glazerm@middlesex.mass.edu with questions.

MCC’s Summer and Fall semesters will feature enhanced online options. To register, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in online education for more than 20 years. We educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners, offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!