MLL Essay Prize Competition

We are pleased to announce the topics for this year’s Annual Essay Writing Contest!

Winners will receive a CASH PRIZE and a great entry for their resume!

• Submissions must be blind (that is, with your name appearing on the front cover page only, not on the essay itself.
• Please indicate on cover page if you are 1) a non-native speaker of the language (and if a major or minor, when applicable)  OR 2) a native speaker (and if a major or minor, when applicable).
• Students who have won in previous years are not eligible to submit again in the same language. Please note guidelines vary by language.

All essays are to be submitted to Schmitt 222 by Monday, March 23, 2019.

Arabic

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures is pleased to announce the topic for the “Annual Essay Writing Prize in Arabic.”

Heritage Students and all Students in upper-level classes 

تحديات الشباب في المهجر

Non-Heritage Students except those in upper-level classes

“Challenges of Learning Arabic in the US”

Essays have to be around 750 words. Essays in Arabic may be hand-written or typed; essays in English must be typed.

Submissions must be blind (that is, with name appearing on the front cover page, not on the essay itself).

The prizes are awarded only for students currently having an Arabic Language or Arabic Studies minor.

Essays are to be submitted to the chair of the Department, Dr. Lois Oppenheim. (They may also be left with MLL office in CS 222.) Inquiries: Professor Mazooz Sehwail sehwailm@montclair.edu

German

Strukturelle Besonderheiten der deutschen Grammatik

Though they are both Germanic languages, German and English grammar are often quite different. Describe and discuss some idiosyncrasies of German grammar. Which structures are especially unique? Which structures do you/do English speakers have difficulties with? And what tips do you have for new learners of the German language regarding grammar? The idea here is to embrace structural difference rather than bemoaning it. 

See above for instructions on how to submit the essay blindly. Indicate the current course number on the cover page.

101 or 102 students write in English; other students write in German.

For German Majors and Minors only.

Length: 2 pages, double spaced.

Usw. Points for participating.

Italian

If you were to choose one object to act as a symbol for Italian culture, what would that be and why?

Students must be an Italian major or minor.

Heritage students of Italian and all students in 200-level courses and above are to write a minimum of 750 words in Italian. Those students in courses below 200 level may write in English.

French

In its first-ever survey, College Consensus has ranked Montclair State as one of the nation’s top “25 LGBTQ Friendly Colleges.” Discuss a contemporary or historical francophone movement or work of art (text, play, film, music) as an example of queerness in a francophone society. Suggest ways in which this material can add to current discussions on campus and beyond.

See above for instructions on how to submit the essay blindly. Indicate the current course number on the cover page.

101 or 102 students write in English; other students write in French.

For French Majors and Minors only.

Length: 2 pages, double spaced.

Japanese

English Title: My Future Dreams

Japanese Title：将来の夢

See above for instructions on how to submit the essay blindly.

Language to be written in essay:

JAPN101 & 102, in English

JAPN 121, 132 & JAPN 206, in Japanese or English; preference will be given to Japanese

JAPN 152, in Japanese

Chinese

What are the benefits of learning chinese?

Beginning students may write in English, the length is 3 double-spaced pages; for all other students, submissions should be written in Chinese, the minimum length is 1 page, double-spaced.

Korean

What is your favorite aspect of Korean culture and why?

Beginning students may write in English, the length is 2 pages, double-spaced.

Hebrew

The origins of the Hebrew language and its relationship to Modern Hebrew: How and why do you think ancient Hebrew and Modern Hebrew are different and/or the same?