NOTE: This course is currently going through processes to get approved by the university. We think it will be on the schedule for Fall 2026.
The Facilitated Interdependent Language Learning (FILL) course is a unique learning opportunity for beginning or continuing learners to study a language or level that is not currently offered at MSU. (See more information about our LCTL Program.) Students work with a facilitator to design a learning plan for the semester. Students meet together with a facilitator as well as classmates. Through interdependent study with other learners, students set personal goals in order to improve their language skills in all modes of communication as well as their cultural competency.
Quick Facts
- Course Code: LL 175 or 475
- Credits: Variable (may be able to take between 1-3 credits)
- Course Delivery: at least one in-person session per week, with other contact hours asynchronous.
- Time Commitment: You should expect to engage in your language study for at least 3 hours per week for every credit hour. For a 3-credit course with only one in-person meeting per week, this means you should expect to schedule a minimum of 8 hours per week outside of the in-person class time for working on this course.
- Cost: While there are no required components of the class cost money, some students may choose to hire language partners (instead of participating in a language exchange) and to take a standardized proficiency test, which would be additional costs. Find out about possible scholarships!
What is FILL?
The Facilitated Interdependent Language Learning (FILL) for Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTL) course is a pilot program for highly motivated language learners to study languages that are rarely, if ever, taught/not currently offered at MSU in a traditional course format by one of MSU’s language programs.
The FILL approach, which has “one language teacher facilitating the learning of multiple languages within the same classroom,” started with innovative high school instructors working to accommodate student desire for additional language study not offered in their districts (Aoki et al., 2022, p. 5). FILL is “collaborative process of a teacher (facilitator of FILL) and learner (the student registered for the language class) figuring out the what (which language) and how (which resources, use of class time, etc.) together” (Aoki et al., 2022. p.5). Students in a FILL course will take the lead in creating their schedule, with support and input from the facilitator. Once the course plan and schedule have been developed, the student will be expected to maintain progress as they would in a traditional language class context.
Learning Objectives
Course plans will differ from learner to learner and language to language. Each student’s individual learning plan will be an initial exercise in the course, developed in collaboration with the facilitator. By the end of the course, students should demonstrate skill development in all modalities: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
The content of this course and the way in which students’ work is assessed are based on the theoretical and pedagogical guidelines developed by ACTFL (“ACT-full”), summarized in the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages (ACTFL, 2015). Put succinctly, students will focus on the “5 Cs”:
- COMMUNICATION: Communicate effectively in more than one language.
- CULTURES: Interact with cultural competence and understanding.
- CONNECTIONS: Connect with other disciplines and acquire information.
- COMPARISONS: Develop insight into the nature of language and culture.
- COMMUNITIES: Participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world.
We strongly recommend that all students take some kind of proficiency test to have an external assessment of their language proficiency level in different skill areas, but that is currently not a required component of the course. More information about the MSU LCTL proficiency testing and policies is available here.
Scholarships
We have some limited funding for Fall 2026 (and possibly Spring 2027) for students studying Asian languages in the FILL course, thanks to the generosity of the Dr. Delia Koo Endowment.
Students receiving the scholarship will have funds available to hire language partners/tutors and will take 1-2 proficiency tests free of charge.
The application process for the FILL course will be detailed here when it is available.