Bachelor of Science in Education in Secondary Education - Spanish

Northern Arizona University

The programs emphasize the development of a teacher's ability to develop research-based teaching strategies that are developed from second language acquisition research. The Bachelor of Science in Education, Spanish program prepares future educators to teach Spanish language and stylistics, heightened by an exposure to civilization and culture and literature by becoming versed in the theories of second language acquisition and best practices for language teaching. The programs emphasize the development of a teacher's ability to develop research-based teaching strategies that are developed from second language acquisition research that informs our field and makes language learning accessible to learners. Specific attention is directed at the interaction of second language acquisition theories, foreign language pedagogy, individual differences that learners bring to the language learning process (e.g., motivation, aptitude), curriculum, classroom management theories as well as competence in the language candidates will teach, the target language. Attaining a high level of communicative competence in the target language is an emphasis of the program such that candidates who enter future classrooms enjoy a relatively high level of proficiency most candidates spend at least a semester studying abroad to do so and also to build competency and knowledge of the cultural products, practices, and perspectives related to the languages they will teach. The program is unique in that it focuses solely on foreign language education. This allows candidates to be in a supportive cohort of high-achieving peers taught by faculty who specialize and conduct research in second language acquisition. We strive to provide a cutting-edge, high-quality program that will utilize and build upon candidates' knowledge, proficiency, and experiences living in the target culture to become an innovative middle or high school teacher that bases classroom practices on second language acquisition research. The program is designed for students with an interest in Spanish education who are seeking teacher certification.

College of Education