- Ph.D., Wayne State University, 2009
- M.A., Wayne State University, 2000
- B.A., University of Freiburg, Germany, 1998
- B.A., Universite' de Dijon, 1995
Nicola Work
Associate Professor in French; LTC Faculty Fellow
Full-Time Faculty
College of Arts and Sciences:
Global Languages and Cultures; Academic Affairs and Learning Initiatives:
Ryan C. Harris Learning Teaching Center (LTC)
Nicola Work
Associate Professor in French; LTC Faculty Fellow
Full-Time Faculty
College of Arts and Sciences:
Global Languages and Cultures; Academic Affairs and Learning Initiatives:
Ryan C. Harris Learning Teaching Center (LTC)
Degrees
Courses Taught
- FRN 101
- FRN 131
- FRN 141
- FRN 201
- FRN 270
- FRN 301
- FRN 311
- FRN 321
- FRN 325
- FRN 331
- FRN 341
- FRN 361
- FRN 370
- FRN 381
- FRN 450
- FRN 469
- FRN 491
- LNG 468/568
AI in Teaching
- AI Fellow, Fall 2025 Cohort
- FRN 101 (Introductory French 1) fosters student independence and AI capabilities. An AI agent provides 24/7 help with course questions and syllabus. Students can use Google Gemini for practice, including reading and conversation. NotebookLM is used to create study tools like flashcards and quizzes.
- HUM 102 (Marie Thérèse Seminar) explores AI and its uses through different lenses such as Catholic social teaching, ethics, sustainability and various humanities disciplines. Students learn about the history of AI and how to use AI tools in a responsible, ethical way in a humanities and writing course. The course culminates in a research project about the use of AI in a field of the student's interest.
- Facilitates workshops and presentations about how to use AI in learning and teaching for K-16 educators. Inspires educators to use AI tools for lesson planning, sequencing activities, leveling texts, creating activities, writing reports, practicing speaking and writing in another language, creating tutors, etc. Creates activities that educators can use to teach students how to ethically use AI to enhance their learning.
Research Interests
- Second Language Acquisition Theories
- Syntax-Pragmatics Interface
- Pragmatics
- Foreign Language Teaching
- Teaching with Technology
- iPads in Language Instruction
- Escape Rooms in (language) education
Selected Publications
Work, Nicola. Argument Realization in French and Spanish Second Language Acquisition: A View from the Syntax-Pragmatics Interface. Saarbrücken: Lambert Academic Publishing, 2010. (228 pages)
Work, Nicola. “iPads in the French Language Classroom : Teacher and Student Perceptions,” in Foss, J. (ed.). The Power of Language, The Power of People: Celebrating 50 Years. Selected Papers from the 2018 Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Ashland, VA: Robert M. Terry, 2018. (21 pages)
Work, Nicola. “Parlez-vous francais? iPad apps to develop French speaking skills,” The French Review, 89.3. 2016. (28 pages)
Work, Nicola. “A rank order of accurate use at the syntax-pragmatics interface: Evidence from French and Spanish L2 acquisition,” Linguistik Online, Vol. 70, No. 1. 2015. (33 pages)
https://bop.unibe.ch/
Work, Nicola. “Rosetta Stone: Compatible with proficiency-oriented language instruction and blended learning?” International Journal of Technology in Teaching & Learning, Vol. 10, No. 1. 2014. http://sicet.org/web/journals/
Work, Nicola. “Applying iPad apps in the classroom: Goal? Language proficiency,” FLTMAG, November 15, 2014. (17 pages, single-spaced)
http://fltmag.com/applying-
Work, Nicola. “Where grammar meets context: Teaching pragmatics in L2 French,” Journal of Second Language Teaching & Research, Vol. 3, No. 1. 2014. (32 pages)
http://pops.uclan.ac.uk/index.
Work, Nicola. “Nonsententials and Second Language Acquisition” in Progovac, L. et al (eds.). The Syntax of Nonsententials: Multidisciplinary Perspectives. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins, 2006. (26 pages)