Curriculum

The M.ED. in Languages (SPAN) program is designed to be completed in 4 semesters but the program is flexible and students can take 1, 2, or 3 courses per semester for up to 6 years. Students may take a part-time load of 2 courses per term and still graduate within 2 years. The Core Curriculum includes 12 credit hours of core courses in Language Education (LALE) and Foundations of Education (EDFS) courses to help you better understand the processes that guide language acquisition, introduce you to recent empirically proven studies in the best practices in language teaching and methodology, and give you the tools to help language learners most effectively. There are 12 credit hours of courses specific to Spanish. In these courses, students focus on the strategies specific to the acquisition of Spanish language and culture, including diverse techniques to reach speakers from a variety of backgrounds, multicultural approaches and methodologies, and the latest research in improving students’ acquisition of foreign languages. The program also features 6 credit hours of elective courses and a capstone standards-based teaching portfolio adapted from the ACTFL guidelines. The M.Ed. in Languages (SPAN) is a 31-credit master’s degree program that will provide you with a strong, comprehensive, and balanced approach to helping others speak Spanish.

The Core Courses are:

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS - CORE COURSES

EDFS 635 EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH (3)

An in-depth study of methods used in different types of educational research. Includes involvement of the student in the process of educational research design, implementation, reporting, and evaluation.

LALE 601: APPLIED LINGUISTICS (3)
This course explores the different areas that comprise the field of Applied Linguistics with the goal of observing how they inform second language teaching and learning. It addresses questions about the complexities of second language learning as well as issues surrounding the education and training of second language teachers.

LALE 602: ADVANCED LANGUAGE TEACHING METHODOLOGY (3)
This course incorporates the latest research findings on foreign language pedagogy and theory. Students will create lesson plans, units, and activities based on specific aspects of foreign language teaching. Class sessions involve discussion of assigned readings and application of the content of the readings to teaching diverse learners. 

LALE 603: SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION (3)
This course introduces the field of second language acquisition from a theoretical and methodological perspective. Students will explore the most important linguistic, psychological, and social influences that affect the rate and course of second language acquisition. The course draws comparisons between the acquisition of a first and second language. Students will analyze actual second-language learner data. Prerequisite: Applied Linguistics.

The Spanish Courses are:

SPANISH COURSES 12 HOURS: please choose any 4; topical courses may be repeated for credit as long as the topic is different. Please consult with the Program Director in course planning. 

SPAN 614: TOPICS IN SPANISH CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION
Intensive exploration and analysis of the culture of Spain through the study of selected topics in history, science, philosophy, the arts, and popular culture. Such topics will be approached through the study of primary and secondary texts, artistic works and through film. The goal of this course is to prepare teachers to incorporate and adapt a wide variety of cultural aspects of Spain into their lesson plans as well as to provide an understanding of central aspects of post-1700s Spain. 

SPAN 615: TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION
Intensive exploration and analysis of Spanish American culture and civilization through the study of selected topics in history, film, the arts, and popular culture. This course prepares teachers to incorporate and/or adapt cultural aspects that are appropriate for middle and high school curricula.

SPAN 624: US LATINOS/AS LITERATURES AND CULTURES
An in-depth study of topics in U.S. Latino/a literature and culture focusing on Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cuban-Americans. Content includes history, literacy production, and cultural manifestations within contemporary theoretical concepts.

SPAN 630: SEMINAR IN HISPANIC STUDIES
An in-depth study of topics in Hispanic literature, linguistics, and/or cultures. May be repeated as topics change.

SPAN 681: SPANISH LINGUISTICS FOR LANGUAGE TEACHERS
This course examines topics in Spanish Linguistics and the acquisition of Spanish as a foreign language. Particularly, we examine the phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, sociolinguistics, and language variation applied to the teaching and learning of Spanish.

SPAN 682: ORAL PROFICIENCY
Emphasis is on practical activities designed to increase students' level of proficiency and their undersatnding of the ACTFL Profiency Guidelines. Assignments focus on analyzing oral skills, diagnosing problem areas, and applying proficiency strategies to personal and professional needs.

 

Approved Electives

Students take 6 hours of electives. Please choose from the following list of approved electives:

Please note that some of these courses may not always be offered online. Students are encouraged to consult with Program Director in selection of elective courses for timely degree planning.

In the final semester of the program, all Master's degree candidates prepare capstone standards-based teaching portfolio. The requirements for the standards-based teaching portfolio are adapted from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) for our Spanish emphasis candidates. The M.Ed. in Languages Executive committee evaluates the teaching portfolio and confirms that the candidate has met expectations for each required dimension.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

LALE 695 STANDARDS-BASED TEACHING PORTFOLIO (1)

Independent work on the Standards-based teaching portfolio under the guidance of the director or a faculty member in the program. To be completed in the last semester/term of study.