French – World Languages and Cultures /modern-languages-and-literatures Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:02:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 Sharing French Culture of the World at the 2026 “French Day” /modern-languages-and-literatures/2026/04/08/sharing-french-culture-of-the-world-at-the-2026-french-day/ Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:59:11 +0000 /modern-languages-and-literatures/?p=4984 An engaging half-day immersion program of interactive workshops in French brought together students and teachers from twelve schools for French Day 2026 at 精品成人福利在线 University. This year鈥檚 theme was, 鈥淐oupe/s du monde,鈥 a play on the French name for the 鈥淲orld Cup鈥 and a reference to the global presence of the French language. Sessions co-led by groups of Montclair professors, students, and alumni ranged from discovering Qu茅bec鈥檚 maple syrup traditions and examining Paris Fashion Week to declarations of independence beyond national borders, and the global history of FIFA and the 2026 World Cup.

Students also produced short French-language films, which were screened during the afternoon session. Wayne Valley High School took first place in the advanced 鈥淭ableaux Vivants鈥 competition for 鈥淟a Place de la R茅volution,鈥 while Cresskill High School earned second place for 鈥淐ouper les limites.鈥 In the 鈥淧o茅sie en images鈥 contest for beginning and intermediate students, Ramsey High School earned first place for 鈥淟ibert茅鈥 and third place for 鈥淛e veux retourner chez moi.鈥 Bernardsville Middle School took second place for 鈥淟a Marseillaise鈥 and Ridge High School received an Honorable Mention for 鈥淟e Loup et le Chien.鈥

鈥淚 was truly impressed by the level of engagement and excitement on the part of all the local high school students and teachers participating in French Day,鈥 said Dr. Kathleen Loysen, Chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures. She also said 鈥淭he French faculty at Montclair appreciate this opportunity to share our knowledge of and love for the French language and Francophone history and culture. And I think the students themselves were pleasantly surprised to discover that the college classroom can be fun, interactive, and compelling, in addition to being challenging. Everyone rose to the occasion. The buzz was palpable!鈥

French is spoken on five continents, which underscores its significance as a global language and its value in the global workplace. For more information about future events at 精品成人福利在线 University, please visit

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Student Profile: Ptissem Assou /modern-languages-and-literatures/2026/01/27/student-profile-ptissem-assou/ Tue, 27 Jan 2026 17:31:45 +0000 /modern-languages-and-literatures/?p=4971 What brought you to French?
I was drawn to French because I want to master the language at an advanced and academic level and eventually become a professor. Learning French allows me to explore how language works intellectually while also engaging with culture, history, and literature. My goal is to develop a more advanced and theoretical understanding of French that I can eventually share with future students.

What has been your favorite French class and why?
My favorite class has been : Structure of the French Language because it helped me understand French beyond everyday communication. I learned about the technical components of a language I already speak, such as syntax, phonology, and morphology. This class strengthened my analytical skills and changed the way I think about language as a structured system.

What do you like most about your French classes or the French learning community on campus?
What I like most is the supportive and motivating learning environment. French classes encourage active participation, discussion, and curiosity, which helps build confidence in speaking and understanding the language. The French learning community on campus also creates a sense of belonging among students who share a genuine interest in language and culture.

What is your favorite French word or phrase?
My favorite French phrase is 芦 tout vient 脿 point 脿 qui sait attendre 禄 that could be translated as everything comes in time to those who know how to wait. I like it because it emphasizes the value of patience and perseverance. The phrase reflects a timeless wisdom that effort and dedication are eventually rewarded, which resonates with both my academic journey and my approach to learning language.

How can you imagine you will use your French in the future?
I imagine using French both academically and professionally in the future. I plan to pursue graduate studies and become a professor, teaching French language and linguistics. I also hope to conduct research, contribute to academic discussions, and help future students develop a strong appreciation for the French language.

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Montclair World Language Programs Among Best in the Country /modern-languages-and-literatures/2025/10/19/montclair-world-language-programs-among-best-in-the-country/ Sun, 19 Oct 2025 18:05:12 +0000 /modern-languages-and-literatures/?p=4878 精品成人福利在线 University is committed to building students鈥 global readiness by helping students develop language skills, practice intercultural competence, and gather international experience. With New Jersey as one of the and a hub of international trade, the state in 1996 committed itself to excellence in world language education, and NJ public schools continue to .

The World Language and Culture programs at Montclair build on this, standing out as some of the best in the country. A few examples:

  • 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 French Program was in 2025 the sole university to be named as an by the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF).
  • In 2025, German and French Professor Pascale LaFountain was awarded 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 first Presidential Excellence in Teaching Award as well as the national AATG award for Outstanding Post-Secondary Educator.
  • Italian faculty member Enza Antenos has been named national Educator of the Year by the Italian Language Foundation, and the American Association of Teachers of Italian (AATI) has recognized Dr. Antenos with its national Distinguished Service Award in 2023.
  • 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 German Program in 2020 became one of a very selective group of by the American Association of Teachers of German.
  • Italian faculty members Marisa Trubiano and Teresa Fiore have both been named to the prestigious .

With the faculty frequently publishing on their teaching and cultural scholarship, and being invited to share their expertise around the country and the world, each faculty member is also fully committed to teaching and advising at all levels.

Colllage of photos for World Languages and Cultures program

Italian Professor Marisa Trubiano notes, 鈥淚n my twenty-five years of teaching here at 精品成人福利在线 University, every new semester has brought together an exciting, challenging, inquisitive new group of young people into a community of inquiry that it has been a privilege to teach. These students鈥 intellectual and professional development is always first and foremost on our minds as we all find innovative ways to facilitate and support their growth and readiness for our rapidly changing world.鈥

Many students choose to double major in Arabic, Asian Languages, French, German, or Italian alongside majors in business, sciences, humanities, education and the arts. While participating in World Language and Culture programs, students engage in collaborative and community-building projects such as the Haitian Poetry Project, Teaching German in the SPARK for German Teaching Lab, performing theater in Italy, and capstone courses in Language, Business & Culture featuring conversations with business leaders applying their language skills for career success.

After graduation, many students take on positions in international companies, win international Fulbright grants after graduation, or pursue advanced degrees.

With its standout programs in World Languages and Cultures, Montclair significantly contributes to preparing the next generation of globally ready diplomats, entrepreneurs, teachers, and innovators.

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精品成人福利在线鈥檚 French Program Earns National 鈥淓xemplary with Honors鈥 Designation /modern-languages-and-literatures/2025/10/01/montclair-states-french-program-earns-national-exemplary-with-honors-designation/ Wed, 01 Oct 2025 18:50:03 +0000 /modern-languages-and-literatures/?p=4849 精品成人福利在线 University鈥檚 French Program has been designated “Exemplary with Honors” by the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF), making it the only university to receive this distinction in 2025.

AATF鈥檚 Exemplary Programs Awards recognize outstanding French language instruction across elementary, middle, high school, and post-secondary institutions nationwide. Honorees serve as models for other programs and are characterized by healthy enrollment, extended language sequences, qualified instructors, ongoing professional development, innovative teaching practices, and strong connections to their communities.

In its announcement, AATF highlighted 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 large number of majors and minors, its three undergraduate tracks and the variety within its master鈥檚 degree, as well as the faculty鈥檚 active professional engagement. The association also praised the program鈥檚 Career Hub for International Language Learning (CHILL), its innovative course co-taught with the University of Bordeaux, and its outreach to secondary schools, notably through yearly French immersion workshops.

a group of students stand for a photo by a statue

French students and faculty in front of the Petit Prince statue at the French Embassy in New York

鈥淲e are delighted to be named an Exemplary French program, an honor that recognizes the remarkable synergy and talents of French-speaking partners at the University and in the surrounding area,鈥 says Elizabeth Emery, Professor of French, Graduate Program Coordinator. 鈥淲e are incredibly proud of our community, whose members hail from more than fifteen countries where French is spoken and whose generous contributions to developing cultural and linguistic programming have directly resulted in this recognition.鈥

Graduates of the program are finding success in diverse careers, from education and translation to broadcasting, international business and public service. Gabriel Albaret 鈥12, who works primarily with African countries at The Global Fund, attaches 鈥済reat value to my education at MSU and particularly the French program. It helped me broaden my horizons to not only how I can interact and learn from the francophones of France, but all over the world. French is used in around 50 countries and all continents except Antarctica.鈥

鈥淢ontclair truly prepared me for an enriching and enlightening career as a French teacher in New Jersey,鈥 says Jennifer Applegate Schwester 鈥94, Brick Township Memorial High School, President, American Association of Teachers of French- NJ chapter (AATF-NJ), 鈥淚 just began year 27 and am still going strong!”

精品成人福利在线鈥檚 French Program continues to stand out for its commitment to student success, innovative programming, and deep engagement with communities at home and abroad. The AATF designation affirms the program鈥檚 long-standing commitment to excellence in language education and leadership in shaping the next generation of French speakers and global citizens.

Ready to Start Your Montclair Journey?

 

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Fall 2025 French Cultural Activities /modern-languages-and-literatures/2025/09/26/fall-2025-french-cultural-activities/ Fri, 26 Sep 2025 19:00:31 +0000 /modern-languages-and-literatures/?p=4841 Conversation Hour

Wednesdays, 2:00-3:00pm. Schmitt Hall, second floor lounge (Schmitt 218). All levels welcome! With snacks and board games! Drop by for as much or as little time as you鈥檇 like.

Free French Tutoring

CAST tutoring with Ptissem.听Sign up here: :听Tuesdays: 12-4 pm; Thursdays: 10 am-2 pm ; Fridays: 10-1 pm

Virtual Drop-in Tutoring with Montclair MA students, Mondays: 4:00pm to 7:00pm ().

Tutoring is available for conversation practice, to help explain difficult concepts, to read through assignments and to help understand errors in written work, but not to correct or rewrite the work itself.

Translation

Try your hand at translating a poem (from French into English, Spanish or Haitian Krey貌l) or recording a reading at our 鈥 repository!

Free French Books!

Check out the 鈥渓ittle library鈥 of free French books in the second floor atrium of Schmitt. Feel free to take books home, to share with friends, or to add your own materials.

Scholarships and Other Resources

Scholarship Universe: Check out this new program at the University and start planning to write applications during winter break!

. Available in NEST to help with financial literacy (prizes available)!

Center for Writing Excellence (CWE). Need help with writing term papers or other projects? Need help with English language projects? Make an appointment with the CWE!听 They provide one-on-one feedback for all students, faculty, staff, and alumni on all types of writing, in any stage of the writing process. In addition to face-to-face sessions, online appointments with the option to Zoom are available seven days per week. /center-for-writing-excellence/appointments/.


Cultural Activities

26 octobre, toute la journ茅e. Virtual Graduate School Open House at 精品成人福利在线 University. are at 4pm (must sign up via link).

31 octobre. Registration for Spring classes. Take care of outstanding holds, see your advisor, and check out our course offerings.

1 novembre. Book Club. 2026.

3 novembre. TAPIF applications.听Les inscriptions commencent pour TAPIF (Teaching Assistant in France program). Spend seven months in France teaching English in K鈥12 or higher education classrooms while improving your French and gaining international experience. Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents ages 20鈥35 with at least three years of higher education and a minimum B1 level in French. Placements are available throughout France and in the DOM-TOMs.听础辫辫濒测听听产别迟飞别别苍听November 3, 2025 and听March 15, 2026.

14 novembre.听 Immersion day in New York City. Visit The Cloisters, literally 听transported to New York in the early twentieth century (!). In addition to more sedate monastery-type activities we can explore the special exhibition:听“” before exploring French-themed New York. .

20 mars. French Day: 鈥淐oupe/s du monde鈥


Concluded Events

23 septembre, 5-8 pm, New York University. “Art, History, and Cultural Politics in Africa Today” at New York University. Artists, curators, cultural entrepreneurs, and researchers explore the challenges and opportunities of promoting contemporary African Art 鈥 its circulation, audiences, and cultural policies on both continental and international levels. .

29 septembre, 2 pm. Double Majors! CHSS Success Center conference room (first floor of Dickson). It is open to any student interested in learning more about the benefits of double majoring, how to go about it, and degree/credit mapping. Here is the to RSVP.

3 octobre, 1pm.听Ha茂ti: La ran莽on de l’ind茅pendance/Haiti, The Ransom for Independence (2024; dir.听Wandrille Lanos, 63 minutes).听Film screening via Zoom with a Q&A with director. More info:听 and .

7 October, 2-3:30pm. Online conference with Thomas Alwood, 鈥 Prof. Thomas Alwood will touch upon the evolution of CAT tools and machine translation, show examples, and discuss the kinds of texts CAT tools work best on (and which ones don’t). What changes are happening now and which can we anticipate? And, obviously, how is the role of the human translator crucial in all of this? Q&A will follow. All are welcome.

7 October. 5:30 鈥 6:30pm. SBUS 327 “What are听Languages听Worth? Investigating the Use and听Value听of Multilingualism in the Labor Market,”with Dr. Tobias Schroedler, University of Duisburg, Germany.

Mis 脿 jour le 17 octobre 2025

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A Legacy of Language /modern-languages-and-literatures/2025/05/19/a-legacy-of-language/ Mon, 19 May 2025 15:27:07 +0000 /modern-languages-and-literatures/?p=4691 After decades of service, leadership, and mentorship, Dr. Lois Oppenheim, longtime professor and chair of the World Languages and Cultures Department, reflects on her career and the impact of the humanities in an interview with The Montclarion. Oppenheim will retire at the end of August after more than 30 years at Montclair.

Read the full article .

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Professor Pascale LaFountain Awarded First Montclair Presidential Excellence Award for Teaching /modern-languages-and-literatures/2025/05/09/professor-pascale-lafountain-awarded-first-montclair-presidential-excellence-award-for-teaching/ Fri, 09 May 2025 19:32:26 +0000 /modern-languages-and-literatures/?p=4683 Pascale LaFountain, Associate Professor, is driven by the 鈥減ay-it-forward鈥 mindset and the deep belief that every student can succeed and make an impact on the world if given the opportunity. She has been described as 鈥渂ringing remarkable creativity to the classroom鈥 and meeting students where they are. Thanks to an annual $15,000 grant secured from the Kade Foundation for German Studies, she has been able to support 10 students annually for their summer study abroad. Beyond teaching, she actively engages in the Montclair community through the SPARK program, community garden, collaborations with the Community Engagement Office and Office for Faculty Excellence, and chairs the University Senate鈥檚 Student Affairs Council.

On being recognized by the University, LaFountain shares, 鈥淚t is the greatest honor to be recognized for my teaching, which I could not do without the deep diversity and cultural curiosity our students bring to class every day. Alongside this Presidential Excellence Award, the greatest recognition is seeing my students regularly experience exceptional success on a national and international level. I am particularly proud to see our students show how ready they are to present their research at national conferences, win international scholarships, and thrive in fully funded graduate programs.鈥

On May 19, the University will honor its employees on the inaugural Red Hawk Recognition Day. The goal of this day is to thank and recognize each other for our commitment to our students and our mission. Read about the other employees who will be celebrated on Red Hawk Recognition Day.

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The 2025 Winner of 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 Third International Soccer Tournament Is 鈥 /modern-languages-and-literatures/2025/05/06/the-2025-winner-of-montclairs-third-international-soccer-tournament-is/ Tue, 06 May 2025 19:03:26 +0000 /modern-languages-and-literatures/?p=4678 On April 30, the World Languages and Cultures Department hosted its third annual International Soccer Tournament. With five co-ed teams representing Arabic, Asian Languages (Chinese, Japanese, and Korean), French/Francophone, German, and Italian, the tournament, which drew nearly 100 players and fans, filled a lively evening under the lights at the campus rec soccer field.

Teams, co-coached by World Language faculty and students, played fast-paced 20-minute games in a round-robin format. Arabic faculty member Mazooz Sehwail and experienced recreational soccer students refereed the games with objectivity and precision. Teams were well-matched with scores often fluctuating until the final minutes. German faculty member Pascale LaFountain notes, 鈥淚 love the camaraderie. Even on our diverse campus I think sometimes people come to the field with some cultural stereotypes. The soccer field really brings people together across identity groups and connects through a shared love for the sport.鈥

The field was lined with avid fans displaying flags from around the world, cheering for teams in a harmony of languages, sharing summer travel tips for world explorations, discussing study abroad plans, taking final pre-graduation selfies, and enjoying pizza with their teams. Faculty and their families, world language classmates, and friends all joined to support the students. This program is part of Montclair World Languages鈥 commitment to bringing language learning beyond the classroom, which the program does through a lively schedule of co-curricular activities, , , and career planning opportunities.

“Regardless of their background, major, language, gender, or experience level, everyone is so respectful on the pitch,” says LaFountain. “Maybe the World Cup could even learn something from these students!”

Winning the International Soccer Tournament Trophy from the French/Francophone team, the 2025 winners were the Arabic team! Yalla yalla! The Arabic faculty will display the trophy with honor 鈥 until it returns to the field next year as part of the warmup to the World Cup festivities.

students from winning soccer team pose with flag and trophy

Left: Professor Mazooz Sehwail poses with the trophy. Right: Students on the winning Arabic team pose together with Professor Sehwail.

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Immersion French Workshops Bring Local Secondary School Students to Montclair Campus /modern-languages-and-literatures/2025/03/26/immersion-french-workshops-bring-local-secondary-school-students-to-montclair-campus/ Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:40:42 +0000 /modern-languages-and-literatures/?p=4638 Montclair, NJ – March 21, 2025 鈥 An innovative series of hands-on workshops about the language and cultures of French-speaking countries encouraged local secondary school students to practice their French skills in a real-world setting. Sessions ranged from debates about the flavor and sustainability practices of artisanal ice cream producers in Corsica (and New Jersey) and tracing the production pathway and environmental impact of chocolate to workshops centered on French-language YouTube breakout stars and the music and fashion of Senegalese Lebu culture. Students and teachers also learned about the new Montclair Career Hub for International Language Learners: , a free online resource that provides tips and ideas for maximizing French language skills in the professional workforce.

Students also produced short French-language films, which were screened during the event. Parsippany Hills High School took the first-place trophy in the more advanced 芦 Tableaux Vivants 禄 competition, which involved creating a plot inspired by a painting made by a well-known French speaker, in this case, 鈥淧aris Street; Rainy Day鈥 by Gustave Caillebotte. Cresskill and Parsippanny High Schools tied for second place in this category. In the 鈥淧o茅sie en images鈥 contest for beginning and intermediate students, Bordentown Regional High School impressed the audience with its creative adaptation of Andr茅 Chenier鈥檚 violent revolutionary poem, 鈥淎 Charlotte Corday鈥; Bernardsville Middle School earned second place in this category.

鈥淲hat remarkable teachers and students,鈥 said Dr. Elizabeth Emery, organizer of the event and Professor of French at 精品成人福利在线 University. 鈥淓ven students with only one to two years of French language instruction rose to the occasion: they used the words they know to ask questions, to participate in conversations, and to engage in the different activities, several with native speakers from France, S茅n茅gal, Togo, and C么te d鈥橧voire.鈥

French is spoken on five continents, which underscores its significance as a global language and demand in the global workplace.

For more information about future events at 精品成人福利在线 University, please visit

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Montclair Launches Public 鈥淐HILL鈥: Career Hub for International Language Learning /modern-languages-and-literatures/2025/01/03/montclair-launches-public-chill-career-hub-for-international-language-learning/ Fri, 03 Jan 2025 14:42:15 +0000 /modern-languages-and-literatures/?p=4612 Each year, the demand for skilled multilingual workers in American and global markets increases. Driven by trade, technological advancements, international mobility, and the collaboration enabled by remote communication, this trend is expected to grow in coming years as well.

The career opportunities for students learning world languages range immensely, even for those with only a few years of exposure. Students who have taken one of the 14 languages at Montclair alongside other studies are using their skills in fields from the arts to the sciences, from business to the humanities and health or social science fields. With the recent launch of the public Montclair CHILL – Career Hub for International Language Learning, students can explore career applications for their languages at any point in their college experience.

The launch on December 11 brought together faculty, advisors, administrators, career counselors, study abroad officers, Modern Language Association representatives, and students, all of whom explored this new online resource, received career advising on how to foreground their languages, and entered raffles to win internationally themed prizes. A particular highlight of the hub is the collection of Languages on the Job videos made by recent graduates who use their languages in fields ranging from IT to manga editing, HR and beyond.

Students can also experiment with finding a fit for their own personal interests with the . Here, they can learn about a variety of jobs that require or encourage language knowledge or proficiency, including positions as international admissions counselor, change management team member, court interpreter, online content editor for gaming sites, and dozens more across fields.

Montclair offers an innovative Language, Business & Culture interdisciplinary major with a capstone international experience. In addition, many students also choose to pursue a language as part of a double major or minor, or add on a faculty-led, summer, or semester-long study abroad experience in addition to their world language requirement to demonstrate their international flair.

Having explored another language shows employers in any field that you are ready to speak to partners on their terms and ready to manage new cultural situations.

At the launch, faculty members and College of Humanities and Social Sciences Career Services representatives reminded students of the importance of highlighting multilingual experiences on their resum茅s, and of connecting with alumni. They emphasized that language exploration reflects professional readiness, demonstrating cognitive flexibility, resourcefulness, and the ability to build bridges with collaborators here and abroad.

A faculty member told students, 鈥淣ew Jersey is so diverse. On the one hand, we have many immigrant groups here who need health, justice, and education professionals comfortable working in their languages. And at the same time, we are home to so many large and expanding international businesses where our students with language skills can make special connections with managers and international clients.鈥 Students applying for positions in these fields attract supervisors鈥 attention when they bring language skills to the table.

The CHILL website shares the stories of recent graduates using their language skills to facilitate internal communications at Audi, to recruit international students at colleges, to work abroad in their expert fields, and more. Professor Elizabeth Emery, who served as Principal Investigator on the Modern Language Association Pathways Grant that helped fund this grant, notes that this launch is only the beginning: 鈥淪o many doors open for graduates with language knowledge鈥揺ven just a few semesters of a language鈥揳nd so many Montclair students have amazing language skills, that we hope that these tools will help students and advisors showcase their talents. Visualizing the paths taken by recent graduates also helps make it much less scary to plan for the job search!鈥

Students can meet to discuss how to use their languages with career advisors at the College for the Humanities and Social Sciences any time. The CHILL website is publicly accessible and will continue to serve as a career resource for students with language skills across all majors.

Curious what 14 languages Montclair teaches? Click here to find out!

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