Wellesley-MIT
Teacher Education
Additional Information on Subject Matter Knowledge and Subject
Advising
for the French Teaching Program
Subject
Matter Requirements.
Massachusetts
regulations specify the following subject matter knowledge requirements
for French 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 French:
French
(grades 5-12)
1.
Spoken and written command of French (the version used
by a formally educated speaker of the language)
2. Similarities and differences between French 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 France;
literary traditions, periods, and genres
5. Introductory knowledge of the other arts (historical
traditions, genres, and major artists) associated with
France
6. Introductory knowledge of the political, social
and intellectual history of France
7. Introductory knowledge of significant literary and
non-literary texts, the arts; and history of at least
one other country
or people with which French 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 French, but other majors, such as French
studies,
may be possible
for those with
a strong background in French. Please
consult with our subject
matter
advisor, Prof. Michele Respaut, 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. Courses to complete a major in French (unless
you are able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge
another
way)
2. Including French 218, French 330, or other
course or substantial experience to provide
knowledge of the variety
of Francophone
cultures,
3. And including course work in as many areas
as practical of the subject matter knowledge
listed
above, with
special attention
to relevant courses in literature, arts, and
history.
4. 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 French
subject teaching
advisor,
Michele
Respaut, with your major advisor, and with
Ken Hawes.
