Spanish (Foreign Language Teaching Option) California State University San Marcos

Overview

The Spanish (Foreign Language Teaching Option) program offered by the California State University San Marcos is designed to prepare students for further study at the doctoral level; for careers in teaching at the elementary, secondary, or community college level; or for positions in business, social services, international relations, government agencies, and other organizations in need of trained language specialists. The Master of Arts in Spanish degree program allows students the choice of three areas of emphasis: Option A – Hispanic Literature and Linguistics, Option B – Hispanic Civilization and Language, and Option C – Foreign Language Teaching. Regardless of the option selected, the student’s academic experience will be characterized by classes of the highest quality, which encourage the development of critical thinking, an appreciation of multicultural perspectives, and articulate use of the Spanish language. All students will receive ongoing faculty mentoring. Opportunities for guided and independent research, community involvement, and study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country are central to the graduate student experience in this program.

Our campus’ close proximity to the Mexican border, together with the large Spanish-speaking population in North San Diego County, makes our area a “living language laboratory” in which students can engage in first-hand study of the many linguistic and cultural aspects of native Spanish speakers. Students who wish to pursue teaching careers will benefit from the Barahona Center for the Study of Books in Spanish for Children and Adolescents, a special collection in the Cal State San Marcos library which houses more than 80,000 books, periodicals, and other materials pertinent to teaching Spanish and Hispanic culture to young people. The University’s commitment to multicultural and global awareness, together with the presence of an international group of faculty in the Modern Language Studies Department, will contribute to the student’s process of learning, in this unique academic setting.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

The Master of Arts in Spanish degree program allows students the choice of three areas of emphasis: Option A - Hispanic Literatures, Option B – Hispanic Languages and Linguistics, and Option C – Foreign Language Teaching.

Students completing the Foreign Language Teaching option will:

• Demonstrate competence in the Spanish language, including knowledge of key aspects of Hispanic linguistics, as well as the ability to explain the language accurately to others.

• Be able to discuss key aspects of Hispanic literatures and cultures, especially in the context of teaching them to others.

• Demonstrate an understanding of principles of foreign language learning, including theories of language acquisition, history and methods of language teaching, best practices for teaching the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures, and assessment of language and culture learning.

• Be able to explain and evaluate published research studies in foreign language education, plan and conduct original research, analyze the data collected, and report the findings.

• Be aware of opportunities for continued professional development, associations in the field to support their ongoing work, and the ability to engage in the scholarship of the classroom.