Wellesley-MIT Teacher Education
Additional Information on Subject Matter Knowledge and Subject Advising
for the Chinese Teaching Program
Subject
Matter Requirements.
Massachusetts
regulations specify the following subject matter knowledge requirements
for Chinese teachers. To understand
more about what
is intended in each area, please study the Massachusetts Curriculum
Frameworks for Foreign Language, which we can give you a copy
of and which can be found on line at www.doe.mass.edu You can also
examine the test objectives for the Massachusetts subject
test
in this area.
(This test is required only for licensure in Massachusetts.)
To see these objectives, go to doe.mass.edu, and select Educator
Licensure
Tests.
Areas
of subject matter knowledge for Chinese:
Chinese
(grades 5-12)
1.
Spoken and written command of Mandarin Chinese (the version used
by a formally educated speaker of the language)
2. Similarities and differences between Chinese and English
3. Theories of, and differences between, first and second
language acquisition
4. Knowledge of culturally and historically significant
literary and non-literary texts and authors associated
with China; literary
traditions, periods, and genres
5. Introductory knowledge of the other arts (historical
traditions, genres, and major artists) associated with
China
6. Introductory knowledge of the political, social and
intellectual history of China
7. Introductory knowledge of significant literary and non-literary
texts, the arts; and history of at least one other country
or people with which Chinese may now be associated.
You
would meet
the requirements,
first, by completing the set of courses described
below; second, by doing additional study in areas where you
have not taken
courses; and, third, by demonstrating your knowledge
via student teaching
and the MTEL subject test. (MTEL stands for Massachusetts
Test for Educator Licensure.) Or if you do not plan
to take the
MTEL subject
test because you do not intend to teach in Massachusetts,
you can alternatively do a portfolio review process.
Planning
required subject matter courses and study.
Normally
a candidate would major in Chinese, but other majors, such as Chinese
Studies,
may be possible
for those with a strong
background
in Mandarin. Please consult with our
subject matter advisor, Prof. Ma, about how you
will plan to address all
areas
of required knowledge.
In conjunction with these discussions, please
fill out
the Teaching Program Plan form and have it approved.
Required
courses:
1.
A major in Chinese or Chinese Studies, or native speaking ability
in Mandarin Chinese,
with an approved
number
of courses in Chinese,
normally including one of Chinese 306, 307,
or 316, to demonstrate appropriate level of language
competency;
2. A course or other substantial experience
in Chinese-American or Asian-American literature
and culture (may be included
as part of
the independent study course in Chinese linguistics,
literature, and language teaching methodology);
3. At least one course in Chinese culture,
history, art, or literature, normally including
one of
Chinese 206,
207, or
208, and History
277;
4. An independent study course or mini-course
in Chinese linguistics, literature, and language
teaching
methodology;
5. Education 308 World Languages Methodology.
Additional
study
For the required areas of subject matter
knowledge listed that are not covered by
your required
or other courses,
additional
study will
be needed. This study provides a wonderful
opportunity for valuable, stimulating learning.
Please discuss
your plan of
study with
our Chinese subject teaching advisor, Prof.
Ma, with your major advisor,
and with Ken Hawes.
