Selected Educational Outcomes
- To demonstrate the ability to listen and to read in Spanish at the advanced level of proficiency, as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines.
- To demonstrate the ability to speak and to write in Spanish at the advanced-low level of proficiency, as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines.
- To demonstrate knowledge of cultural universals and trends as well as specific similarities and differences between Hispanic and American cultures, including both non-verbal and verbal aspects.
- To demonstrate knowledge of major historical events and their role in the development of the Hispanic cultures as well as knowledge of the major literary and artistic works of those cultures.
- To demonstrate the ability to use technology for research purposes and as a means of communication with the various areas of the Spanish-speaking world.
Examples of Outcome Assessments
The Department of Modern and Classical Languages evaluates the level of linguistic proficiency and cultural knowledge achieved by the students in the Bachelor of Arts program in Spanish by using a variety of assessment measures. The results of the assessment activities are used for continued curriculum development and revision. Among the methods used to determine the effectiveness of the program are the following:
- An examination to assess the level of listening, reading, and writing proficiency. The examination is administered in SPAN 2010 and SPAN 4990.
- ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interviews administered to assess the level of speaking. These Oral Proficiency Interviews are administered in SPAN 2010 and SPAN 4990.
- An examination covering appropriate topics to assess the student’s knowledge of content material related to Hispanic culture, linguistics, and literature. The examination is administered in SPAN 2010 and SPAN 4990.
- Evaluation of student performance during SPAN 4980, including an assessment of linguistic proficiency and interpreting and translating skills adequate to the practicum assignment, completed by the supervisor in the field.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in Spanish
Language and Culture Track
| Core Curriculum | 60 | |
| Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum) | 42 | |
| Core Curriculum Areas F | ||
| Beginning Spanish Language and Introduction to Hispanic Cultures, I | ||
| Beginning Spanish Language and Introduction to Hispanic Cultures, II | ||
| Intermediate Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures I | ||
| Intermediate Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures II and Intermediate Grammar | ||
Foreign Language and Culture (2nd Foreign Language) | ||
Electives from Area C and Area E Courses | ||
| Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in all courses taken in Area F. | ||
| Senior College Curriculum | 60 | |
| Upper-Level Courses in Spanish | ||
| SPAN 2011 | Intermediate Conversation | 1 |
| SPAN 3010 & SPAN 3150 & SPAN 3160 | Conversation and Composition and Civilization and Culture of Spain and Civilization and Culture of Latin America | 9 |
| SPAN 3200 & SPAN 3250 | Introduction to Hispanic Literature and Survey of Peninsular Literature | 6 |
| SPAN 3260 | Survey of Latin American Literature | 3 |
| SPAN 4010 & SPAN 4110 | Advanced Grammar and Spanish Phonetics and Phonology | 6 |
| SPAN 4020 | Advanced Conversation | 2 |
| Electives: 3000/4000-level courses, to include one Spanish literature course numbered 4000 or above | 6 | |
| SPAN 4980 | Community Practicum (taken twice) | 2 |
| SPAN 4990 | Senior Seminar | 1 |
| Supporting Courses | ||
| Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers | ||
2nd Foreign Language & Culture (may be taken in Areas C & F) | ||
Electives | ||
| Total hours required for the degree | 120 | |
Spanish—Foreign Language Education Track
The Foreign Language Education Track (Spanish) in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages holds accreditation from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
Students who are enrolled in the program leading to the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in the Foreign Language Education Track will meet all outcomes defined for the students in the program leading to the B.A. degree in Spanish in the Language and Culture Track. In addition, there are Performance Standards outcomes established by the College of Education and Human Services for the professional courses taken to achieve certification in grades pre-kindergarten through the twelfth grade. There are several areas that the outcomes address that are not included in the outcomes for the content area, including the following:
Selected Educational Outcomes
- To demonstrate an understanding of the nature of the learner.
- To employ instructional strategies and research methodologies appropriate to the discipline and the learners.
- To demonstrate effective planning skills.
- To employ effective assessment techniques in evaluating learners and programs.
- To maintain an on-going program of professional development.
Examples of Outcome Assessments
In addition to the assessment procedures used to evaluate the extent to which students enrolled in the B.A. degree program in Spanish meet the anticipated outcomes, there are measures employed to determine the effectiveness of the preparation of the prospective teachers.
- Students maintain portfolios containing sample coursework, research projects, and community activity to be evaluated before the beginning of student teaching. Upon completion of student teaching, students complete a second portfolio to determine the student’s success in synthesizing and applying acquired knowledge to the actual experience. Components of the portfolio include teaching philosophy, video tapes, self-critiques, reflections of the entire experience, lesson plans, summary of methodologies and instructional strategies, ancillary materials, contacts, and an annotated bibliography of resource materials.
- Mentor teachers and the university supervisor furnish performance reports of the students.
- GACE II, the standard examination for teacher certification, assesses students’ knowledge of content material related to Hispanic culture, language, and literature, as well as pedagogy. Scores on the examination serve as one indication of the effectiveness of the program.
- Periodic surveys of alumni who have completed the program are conducted. These surveys evaluate the relevance of the major program to graduates’ present employment, perception of success, and their personal satisfaction with the program, as well as solicit suggestions for improvement of the Spanish major in the Foreign Language Education Track.
- As of Fall 2008, students in the B.A.–Spanish Foreign Language Education Track must achieve a rating of Advanced-low on the formal ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview in order to be recommended for certification.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in Spanish
Foreign Language Education Track
| Core Curriculum | 60 | |
| Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum) | 42 | |
| Core Curriculum Areas F | ||
| Beginning Spanish Language and Introduction to Hispanic Cultures, I and Beginning Spanish Language and Introduction to Hispanic Cultures, II | ||
| Intermediate Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures I and Intermediate Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures II | ||
| Entry to the Education Profession | ||
| Investigating Critical and Contemporary Issues in Education and Exploring Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Diversity and Exploring Learning and Teaching | ||
Electives from Area C and Area E Courses | ||
| Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in all courses taken in Area F. | ||
| Senior College Curriculum | 60 | |
| Upper-Level Courses in Spanish | ||
| SPAN 2010 & SPAN 3010 | Intermediate Grammar and Conversation and Composition | 6 |
| SPAN 2011 | Intermediate Conversation | 1 |
| SPAN 3150 & SPAN 3160 & SPAN 3200 | Civilization and Culture of Spain and Civilization and Culture of Latin America and Introduction to Hispanic Literature | 9 |
| SPAN 3250 | Survey of Peninsular Literature | 3 |
| SPAN 3260 | Survey of Latin American Literature | 3 |
| SPAN 4010 & SPAN 4110 | Advanced Grammar and Spanish Phonetics and Phonology | 6 |
| SPAN 4020 | Advanced Conversation | 2 |
| SPAN literature course numbered above 4000 | 3 | |
| SPAN 4980 | Community Practicum | 2 |
| Supporting Course | ||
| ESOL 4010 | Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers | 3 |
| Upper-Level Courses in Education | ||
| SEED 4010 & FLED 3510 & FLED 4510 | Integrating Technology in Secondary Education and Elementary Classroom Laboratory and Classroom Laboratory | 3 |
| FLED 3500 & FLED 4500 | Foreign Language in the Elementary School and Curriculum and Methods of Foreign Languages | 4 |
| SPEC 3000 | Serving Students with Diverse Needs | 3 |
| FLED 4790 | Student Teaching | 9 |
| FLED 4800 | Senior Professional Development Seminar | 3 |
| Electives | 0-3 | |
| Total hours required for the degree | 120 | |
French or Spanish—World Languages and Cultures Track
The World Languages and Cultures in French or Spanish offers students the opportunity to combine two or more world languages in a program of study that will impart the basic knowledge necessary to participate in international and intercultural settings. The track emphasizes knowledge of modern foreign cultures and enables students to focus on one modern language while achieving speaking facility in one or two others. These tracks are foundational to advanced studies in humanities disciplines such as modern languages, history, art history, philosophy, or political science. When combined with business courses, these degrees can open up international professional opportunities.
Majors in World Languages and Cultures may find employment in business, government, education, media, travel and social services, depending upon their skills and experiences. Majors can seek out employment opportunities in which language skills are required in the work place. Such positions include translating, interpreting, and teaching foreign languages within a corporate context. World Languages and Cultures majors also pursue careers in social services capacities.
Additionally, completion of the Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) as part of this degree will prepare majors to teach English to speakers of other languages throughout the world. Internships and practicum placements and study abroad are highly recommended as study components in these tracks.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in Spanish
World Languages and Cultures Track
| Core Curriculum | 60 | |
| Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum) | 42 | |
| Core Curriculum Areas F | ||
| Beginning Spanish Language and Introduction to Hispanic Cultures, I and Beginning Spanish Language and Introduction to Hispanic Cultures, II | ||
| Intermediate Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures I and Intermediate Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures II | ||
Second Foreign Language at the 1001-2002 levels | ||
Electives from Area C and Area E Courses | ||
Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in all courses taken in Area F | ||
| Senior College Curriculum | 60 | |
| Upper-Level Courses in Spanish | ||
| SPAN 2010 & SPAN 2011 | Intermediate Grammar and Intermediate Conversation | 4 |
| SPAN 3010 | Conversation and Composition | 3 |
| Civilization and Culture of Spain and Civilization and Culture of Latin America | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Hispanic Literature and Survey of Peninsular Literature | ||
| Introduction to Hispanic Literature and Survey of Latin American Literature | ||
| SPAN 4010 | Advanced Grammar | 3 |
| SPAN 4020 | Advanced Conversation | 2 |
| SPAN 3000- or 4000-level courses | 6 | |
| ESOL 4010 | Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers | 3 |
| Related Electives | 27 | |
| Total hours required for the degree | 120 | |
A second or third foreign language may be taken in the major as needed under the Related Electives.
Suggested Elective Sequences: Minor in French or German, Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Certificate in Spanish for Professionals.
A minimum of 39 hours must be taken at the 3000/4000 level.
