Multi-Age Spanish Teacher Education

Overview of the Program:

This program has been designed for students wishing to pursue the teaching of Spanish in grades preK-12.  The CWRU Department of Modern Languages and Literature has designed this program in accordance with Ohio Performance-Based Standards, the Ohio Model Curriculum in Foreign Language, and guidelines set by professional organizations such as ACTFL.

The Department of Modern Languages and Literature at Case Western Reserve University is committed to helping students become informed and liberally educated citizens of a diverse world. By teaching students to participate fully in cultures other than their own, through the acquisition of language skills and cultural awareness, we prepare them for lifelong learning in an increasingly multilingual and multicultural world. We encourage study abroad as a means of reinforcing and strengthening language skills, of acquiring new cultural perspectives and appreciation, and of exemplary preparation for a teaching career.

Students participating in the Teacher Education program complete a major in Spanish, including coursework in Spanish language, culture, and literature, and a 36-hour sequence in professional education. Coursework in Spanish begins in the freshman year with a language course appropriate to the student’s proficiency level. It continues until the student has completed a range of upper-level courses and has met the goals of the program.

The Department and CWRU’s Office of Undergraduate Studies have ample information and encourage and advise students to participate in summer, semester and year-long study abroad programs in Latin America and Spain appropriate to their interests, needs, and financial circumstances. During the last 3 years, an average of 25% percent of majors has been abroad in any given semester. In Spanish 311 (Advanced Spanish Conversation) students interact and develop a final project with Hispanic grade school students, becoming familiar with Cleveland’s Hispanic community and some of its experiences of bilingualism, immigration, and education in the U.S.  Students wishing to study abroad should seek early advisement to be able to complete the Spanish and Education majors within four years.

Professional education courses can begin in the freshman year and culminate with the student teaching semester.

Contact:
Dr. Gabriela Copertari
Phone:216-368-4324
Email: marta.g.copertari@case.edu

Course requirements are as follows:

For students placed into the 200 level: 201-202 and eight courses at the 300 level taught in the target language, or six 300-level courses plus two related courses.

For students placed into the 300-level: ten 300-level courses taught in the target language, or eight 300-level courses plus two related courses.

Related courses are those outside the department which are closely related to French, German, Japanese, and Spanish cultures, as well as those departmental courses cross-listed with World Literature.

Professional Education of Spanish teacher candidates

  • Students will complete a major in Spanish.
  • Students will complete a second major in Education, comprised of course work and field and clinical experiences, courses in development, methods, pedagogy and student teaching.  This second major requires 36 hours of professional education coursework.
  • Prior to their licensure, students will complete an exit survey, administered by the Office of Teacher Education .

Timetables

The Professional Education courses begin in the sophomore year, after taking PSCL 101, General Psychology, a prerequisite for EDUC 304, Educational Psychology in the freshman year. The coursework in education culminates in the senior year with full-time student teaching in the spring semester.

Coursework in Spanish begins in the freshman year with a language course appropriate to the student’s proficiency level. It continues until the student has completed a range of upper-level courses and has met the goals of the program. Students are strongly encouraged to complete some of their coursework in a Spanish-speaking country.

 

Sample timetable for students entering the Spanish program at the 200-level:

Students at the 200-level Fall Spanish Education Spring Spanish Education
Freshman SPAN 201 PSCL 101 SPAN 202
Sophomore SPAN 300 level EDUC 301, 304 SPAN 300 level EDUC 338
Junior SPAN 300 level EDUC 325EDUC 255 SPAN 300 level EDUC 326EDUC 386
Senior SPAN 300 level EDUC 340 EDUC 390, EDUC 394

 

Sample timetable for students entering the Spanish program at the 300-level:

Students at the 300-level Fall Spanish Education Spring Spanish Education
Freshman SPAN 300 level PSCL 101 SPAN 300 level
Sophomore SPAN 300 level EDUC 301, 304 SPAN 300 level EDUC 338, 386
Junior SPAN 300 level EDUC 325EDUC 255 SPAN 300 level EDUC 326
Senior SPAN 300 level EDUC 340 EDUC 390, EDUC 394