Foreign Language Teacher: Spanish K-12 Professional Educator License / Bachelor of Arts
Total Credit Hours: 128
Major Credit Hours: 36
The Foreign Language Studies Program offers a Spanish Language and Culture program that prepares candidates to teach grades K-12 in Illinois public and private schools. Spanish majors specializing in this Concentration must declare majors in both Spanish Language and Culture and Secondary Education. See advisors in Foreign Language Studies and the Department of Education for specific approval and a list of required courses.
Teacher Candidates seeking a Professional Educator License to teach Foreign Language must complete all requirements of the Department of Education and the following coursework in the content area as well as professional education courses. For a detailed description of the courses, please click on the appropriate link. Only grades of “C” and above are acceptable in professional education courses and in any courses counted toward any endorsement or license. A “C-” or lower grade will require that the course be repeated. All upper-division language courses require proficiency in reading, speaking, and writing Spanish appropriate to the level and course.
Objectives
The Foreign Language Program at Lewis University is unique in the area and across the nation because it is founded on intense training in speaking and listening skills in beginners’ courses, only later supplemented by the study of grammar and more traditional reading and writing and speaking courses. Lewis University also offers many opportunities to study abroad at colleges and universities, including other Lasallian institutions, frequently at the same costs as students pay in Romeoville or sometimes even lower.
Demonstrated foreign language proficiency today is a desirable skill in government, corporations, community groups, schools and school districts, food service and restaurants, churches, and neighborhood businesses. Fluency in Spanish is a particularly valuable ability. The Spanish Language and Culture major provides students with reading, writing, and oral skills; knowledge of Spanish culture in three major parts of the world: Spain, Latin America, and the U.S. Latino Community; and the opportunity to join organizations on campus which share interest in Spanish-speaking cultures. This program encourages the student to take advantage of study abroad opportunities, internship possibilities, research, and service learning opportunities.
This major is open to all students regardless of prior language experience. However, students with no prior training in Spanish will need to complete FLAN 10300 First-Year Spanish 1 and FLAN 10400 First-Year Spanish 2 prior to beginning the major. Credit will be given to students who earn a "C" or better in Spanish language courses at community and four-year colleges.
Students are awarded credit in First-Year Foreign Language 1 and/or 2 by earning a qualifying score on AP, CLEP, IB tests, or on any accredited foreign language proficiency examination. See relevant charts in the General Information section of this Catalog for qualifying scores on AP, CLEP, and IB tests. See the Director of the Foreign Language Program for information on other nationally-recognized proficiency examinations accepted by Lewis University.
Declared Spanish Language and Culture majors who did not earn credit through national examinations may petition the Director of the Foreign Language Program to take a Challenge Examination administered by the Foreign Language Program through The School of Graduate, Professional, and Continuing Education (SGPCE) to earn credit for prior learning in First-Year Spanish 1 and/or 2. See the Director for the Foreign Language Program for more information. Modest testing and transcript fees apply and a maximum of 6 credit hours may be earned.
Students enrolled as majors in Spanish Language and Culture may, after consulting with a foreign language advisor and for modest testing and transcript fees, request to sit for the program’s Challenge Examinations in Spanish Grammar 1 and 2, which are administered through the School of Graduate, Professional, and Continuing Education.
The Community Internship, one of the Capstone options, is meant to provide direct service to local Latino populations as well as provide the student with practical experience in the field.
All students, regardless of proficiency at entry, must complete 36 hours in the major.
Majors are encouraged to take some advanced courses in Spanish at a university abroad. A number of opportunities are available through the Lewis University Study Abroad program and the Lasallian Consortium of Colleges and Universities. See Study Aboard in this catalog.
Degree Requirements
Program: BA-SPLC-4
Concentration: SCED
I. Core Courses (21)
Students with no prior experience will need to complete FLAN 10300 First Year Spanish 1 and FLAN 10400 First Year Spanish 2 before beginning the major. Students must earn a “C” in all prerequisite courses in order to advance to the next course. All upper-division language courses require proficiency in Spanish appropriate to the course. All majors must successfully complete at Lewis University a minimum of 4 upper-division courses (12 hours) taught in Spanish.
II. Spanish Culture Electives (12)
Students preparing for the teaching certificate must choose at least one course in each of these three areas. Topics courses and seminars
must be related to Spanish Culture.
A. Literature
Choose one course:
B. History / Government
Chose one course:
C. Culture
Choose two courses:
III. Capstone Course (3)
| FLAN-39900 | Advanced Practice Language in Location | 1-4 |
| - | OR | |
| FLAN-40500 | Community Internship for Spanish Majors | 3 |
Secondary Education majors who choose FLAN 39900 must take a minimum of 3 credit hours in FLAN 39900 to fulfill the requirement.
V. ePortfolio
In consultation with their advisors in the Foreign Language Program, Spanish majors must submit an ePortfolio of writing (in Spanish) for review. The ePortfolio represents assignments and projects completed mostly in courses in the major. Students double-majoring in Education should register for ePortfolio in the semester before they student teach. Further information can be obtained from the student’s advisor and the Program Director of Foreign Languages.
VI. Professional Educator License
Foreign Language majors will register for six hours of Special Methods Instruction. See Education Advisor for more information.
Foreign Language Majors seeking teacher licensure majors must complete the Spanish K-12 Professional Educator License program.