Prof. Mei-Lan Mamode

Meï-Lan Mamode

Assistant Professor, Research Stream (CLTA), French Studies
Language Studies

Prof. Mamode holds a PhD in French Linguistics from the University of Toronto with a specialization in second language acquisition. Her research primarily examines the challenges adult learners face in perceiving and acquiring French prosody, and how these difficulties can be addressed through cognitive training and effective teaching. Her research interests also include prosody in underrepresented varieties of Canadian French and in French-based Creoles.

As an educator, Prof. Mamode is especially passionate about teaching French pronunciation and prosody using evidence-based methods, and advocates for their greater inclusion in language pedagogy and research.

Outside of work, she enjoys fitness, yoga, crocheting and quality time with friends and family – especially during visits to Mauritius, where she was born and raised.

Current Courses

Fall/Winter 2025–26:

  • FRE283 (Intermediate Language Practice: Spoken French)
  • FRE325 (Talking Like a Child: Language Acquisition of French)
  • FRE355 (Psycholinguistics: multilingual learners in action)
  • FRE487 (Advanced Topics in Experimental French Linguistics)

Education

  • PhD, French Linguistics, University of Toronto
  • MA, French Studies, Western University
  • BA (Hons), French Linguistics (Specialist) / Cell & Systems Biology (Major), University of Toronto

Areas of Teaching and Research Interests

  • Perception and production of prosody in second language (L2) acquisition, with a focus on L2 French
  • French prosody in underrepresented varieties (e.g., French spoken in minority contexts)
  • Prosodic features of French-based Creoles
  • Application of L2 research and methodology to the teaching oral French, especially pronunciation
  • Development of perceptual competence in the L2 classroom

Selected Publications

  • Mamode, M. (2019). L’intonation du français au Canada: étude de cas des patrons intonatifs et des syllabes accentuées dans les variétés parlées au Nouveau-Brunswick et au Québec. Journal of French Language Studies, 29(3), 397-421. doi:10.1017/S0959269519000139
  • Mamode, M. (2014). À l'encontre des présupposés linguistiques: morphologie flexionnelle et dérivationnelle du créole mauricien. Cahiers linguistiques d'Ottawa, 39.

Dissertation