Spanish, B.A., Secondary Education Concentration

Department Contact:

Chair (Literature and Languages): Dr. Robin Cadwallader, rcadwallader@francis.edu
Coordinator: TBA
Chair (Education): Dr. Stephanie Ivory, sivory@francis.edu, 814-472-2844

Program Description:

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 in Costa Rica or another approved study abroad program. The experience of living with host families will enhance their understanding of cultural issues from a global perspective. The main objectives of the concentration are to turn students into professional Spanish teachers that know how to develop their future students’ oral proficiency and cultural awareness and understanding.

Student Learning Outcomes:

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.

Admission Requirements: 

• Three years of high school Spanish

Estimated Completion Time:

Typically 4 years of full-time study.

Progression and/or Retention Criteria:

Spanish Major:

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.

Secondary Education Concentration:

A student must complete an application for admission and be accepted into the Professional Teacher Preparation Program prior to registering for 300/400 level Education courses.

To be accepted into the Professional Teacher Preparation Program, the candidate must have:

1. completed no less than 48 credits as required by the PDE;
2. achieved at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA;               
3. achieved no grade lower than C in major and collateral courses;
4. demonstrated proficiency in Basic Skills: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics (SAT exemption, ACT exemption, PAPA, and/or CORE, EDUC 421);
5. completed at least 6 semester hour credits in college level English;
6. completed at least 6 semester hour credits in college level mathematics;
7. completed EDUC 150;
8. met with advisor in the Education Department;
9. composed a brief essay (“Why I Want to Pursue Teaching as a Career”);
10. obtained a letter of endorsement from a faculty member outside the education department.

Teacher candidates seeking certification through the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS) must meet the requirements set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

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

Total Credits Required:

128 credits

See requirements for Education .