Wellesley-MIT
Teacher Education
Additional Information on Subject Matter Knowledge and Subject
Advising
for the Spanish Teaching Program
Subject
Matter Requirements.
Massachusetts
regulations specify the following subject matter knowledge requirements
for Spanish 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 Spanish:
Spanish
(grades 5-12)
1. Spoken and written command of Spanish (the version used
by a formally educated speaker of the language)
2. Similarities and differences between Spanish 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 Spain;
literary traditions, periods, and genres
5. Introductory knowledge of the other arts (historical
traditions, genres, and major artists) associated with
Spain
6. Introductory knowledge of the political, social and
intellectual history of Spain
7. Introductory knowledge of significant literary and
non-literary texts, the arts; and history of at least
one other country
or people with which Spanish 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 Spanish, but other majors, such as Latin
American Studies, may be possible
for those
with a strong background in Spanish. Please
consult with our subject
matter advisor, Prof. Joy Renjilian-Burgy, 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 Spanish or Latin American Studies, or native speaking
ability in Spanish, with an
approved number
of courses in Spanish,
normally including Spanish 241 or 242 and one
300-level seminar;
2. A course or other substantial experience in,
Latin American or U.S. Hispanic literature
and culture;
3. At least one course in Spanish culture,
history, art, or literature, normally including
Spanish
272;
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 Spanish
subject teaching
advisor,
Joy Renjilian-Burgy,
with your major advisor, and with Ken Hawes.
