About Us

When the Multimedia Language Centre (MLC) first opened in 1996, it provided a new kind of support to York University students learning Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish. On its 37 workstations, students could access software to improve their pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar, as well as surf the Web for educational materials and cultural sites. Support for learning a second language became more diversified and students appreciated the ability to tailor their language learning to their own needs and interests.

Today, the MLC not only continues this tradition of innovation, but moves it forward. The MLC is now divided into two sections, with 60 workstation Open Access lab on one side and two teaching labs, which are routinely booked by language instructors. Professors also use the MLC teaching labs in various ways, from guiding students through interactive group lessons, to setting up writing workshops with peer editing, to introducing websites and cultural activities with web support.

All students enrolled in a language course through the Department of French Studies and the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics are now automatically given access to the MLC they simply need to activate their MLC account through Passport York. Once they have an account, students are granted server space to save their work, are able to upload files to their professor in order to get feedback, and are assigned a password to gain access to the MLC online multimedia lessons.

Former MLC Academic Coordinator Diane Woody, a professor in the Department of French Studies who has been involved in the MLC since its inception, explains that the use of technology supports the communicative model of language learning. This model assumes that if the goal is to be able to communicate, then a variety of methods can be used by learners, Woody says. Our goal is to empower students to use the language as much as possible.

Through using a rich variety of learning materials and native-language media, students develop comprehension and cultural awareness. Then through practicing and getting feedback on their reading and writing, they improve their fluency, accuracy and sophistication. Current MLC Academic Coordinator, Roberta Sinyor of the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics, notes that with the vast array of learning materials available at the MLC, any student wishing to become fluent in a language can do so.

Another emphasis for the MLC is on having students develop skills in the technologies that support their language learning. For word-processing, students use the international versions of Microsoft Word with accents, input editors and special characters for non-Western alphabets and have access to features for checking spelling and grammar in the different languages. They also become familiar with key on-line resources such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, and cultural press sites for their second language, so that they will feel confident making the transition to using the language in their personal and professional lives.

Overall, the MLC s multi-faceted approach to language learning makes York University an inspiring and supportive place to learn a new language.