Spanish, B.A., Secondary Education Concentration/Special Education Concentration

Chair: Dr. Robin Cadwallader

Coordinator: Dr. Margaret Morales

Program Descriptions and Student Learning Outcomes:

Rationale and Objectives: Although more high school students across the country are eager to study Spanish because they know it is an important skill to have in their future careers in business, education, health care, law enforcement or social work, there is a shortage of qualified Spanish teachers. The main objectives of the Spanish part of this major are to develop skills at the Advanced Low level of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines in writing, reading, listening and speaking Spanish, although the principal focus of the major is to develop speaking proficiency. Students will refine their linguistic skills either at the three campuses of the Centro Panamericano de Idiomas (CPI) in Costa Rica or another approved study abroad program. The experience of living with three different host families will enhance their understanding of cultural issues from a global perspective. The main objectives of the double concentration are to turn students into professional Spanish teachers that know how to develop their future students’ oral proficiency and cultural awareness and understanding. Students will also be qualified to teach any child with special needs’

Learning outcomes of the B.A. in Spanish with a Secondary Education/Special Education  Concentration: Upon completion of the major, students will be able to:

• Engage in formal and informal conversations in Spanish about any topic
• Read and discuss written Spanish in all of its forms: Internet news and articles, newspapers, magazines, literature (poetry, short stories, novels) 
• Explain ideas and important details of visual productions in Spanish: the media, movies and documentaries on any topic
• Express feelings and emotions and exchange opinions in Spanish using socio-cultural nuances
• Teach any grammatical aspect in context clearly in Spanish in a learner friendly manner
• Teach cultural concepts to students, including: Spanish and Latin American character and cultural identity, their value systems, attitudes, and beliefs, and their patterns of social interaction, i.e., what to do, when, where and how
• Teach about the cultural backgrounds and diversity of the many Latino cultures in the US, and the history of immigration into the United States
• Teach learners of diverse backgrounds and special needs to achieve their highest potential

Admission Requirements: 

• Three years of high school Spanish

Estimated Completion Time:

Typically four to 4 and 1/2 years of full-time study.

Progression and/or Retention Criteria:

Students must take the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) immediately after completing their study abroad requirement and achieve a minimum level of Intermediate High. Students may repeat this exam as needed until they achieve this minimum level.

Capstone Requirement:

Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a Secondary Education concentration are required to complete a Spanish Capstone, designated as Spanish 499, approved by the Spanish program coordinator, Dr. Margaret Morales. Students may fulfil this requirement through study abroad or one of the courses below:

• Spanish 499 / Testimonios sobre la inmigración
• Spanish 499 / Literatura