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555560 - Second Language Teaching (MA)

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Application Deadline

Fall: February 1

Contact Information

3086 JFSB

+18014221201

slatma@byu.edu

Website

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Required Tests

  • GRE (50th percentile or above on verbal and 4 or above on writing)

  • TOEFL for international students (TOEFL iBT score of 90 with a minimum score of 24 in speaking and 22 in listening, reading and writing)

  • ACTFL OPI (Non-native speaker of the language of emphasis must demonstrate target-language proficiency by taking the ACTFL OPI and receiving an OPI rating of advanced Low or Intermediate High depending on language difficulty)

    Additional Requirements

  • Statement of intent

  • Three letters of recommendation

  • Resume

  • Scholarly writing sample in English (10-20 pages)

  • Successful completion of a language-teaching methodology course prior to the start of the graduate program

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PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

  • The SLaT MA program uniquely prepares students with second language teaching skills that are based on sound teaching theories that build on and go beyond the scientific study of language. This master's program assists second- and foreign-language teachers in improving their professional qualifications in second language pedagogy, research and assessment. The focus is on teacher preparation providing a skill set suitable for a variety of careers within higher education and second language teaching. There is an industry need for teachers who are prepared to teach less commonly taught languages; this program helps to satisfy that need. The SLaT program also prepares a foundation for continued study in Ph.D. programs in foreign language education and eventual entry into academia.

    Please note that this program serves students who's language of focus is not Spanish, Portuguese or English. Please see the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and the Linguistics Department for graduate programs tailored to those languages.

    Requirements for Degree.

  • Credit hours (33): Master's Thesis Option (course) - minimum 27 course work hours and 6 thesis hours or Master's Project Option (course) minimum 30 course work hours and 3 project hours.

  • Required Core Courses: coursecoursecourse, and course(12 credits) plus 3 additional courses from the following: 

  • coursecoursecoursecoursecourse, or  615 (9 credits). 

  • Elective courses (6 credits):

  • 3 credits of a graduate-level language, linguistics, or literature course of the language of emphasis.

  • 3 credits of a graduate-level language-specific course or an additional graduate-level pedagogy course from the required core courses listed above.

  • Examinations: (A) Written comprehensive exam covering student's coursework and reading list. (Students are required to take this exam during the fourth semester of study.) (B) Oral defense of thesis or project.

Optional 3rd Year Teaching Licensure Track

Application Criteria:

Students should apply and be accepted to the 3rd year licensure track. The following requirements should be met.

  • Prospective students should apply to be admitted to the third-year licensure program before the fourth semester of the second year. This acceptance will be contingent upon the completion of the M.A. requirements, including the thesis.

  • Students had to pass stringent test requirements (ACTFL OPI, GRE, TOEFL, etc.) to be admitted into the M.A. programs. In addition, students who are accepted into the 3rd year licensure program must pass a Praxis content exam in the language of specialization.

  • Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and may not have any C grades (classes can be repeated).

  • Students should submit 1 letter of recommendation.

Proposed Third Year Licensure Track Classes Offered through the McKay School of Education (11 credits):

SLaT/Spanish/Portuguese MA students who choose to do the third-year licensure track will join with BYU education students to take the following classes.

  • course- Educating Students with Disabilities in Secondary Classrooms (2 credits)

  • course - Multicultural Education for Secondary Education (3 credits)

  • course - Adolescent Development and Classroom Management (3 credits)

  • course, course - Integrating K-12 Educational Technology 1, 2 (2 credits)

  • course - Teaching in K-12 Online and Blended Learning Contexts (1 credit)

Additional Field Experience Classes (17 credits):

The 3rd-year licensure track students will join the Spanish/French/German teaching practicums and student teaching courses (below). These students will have a cohort and meet weekly to develop lesson plans, discuss teaching experiences, refine teaching skills, and engage in professional development and reflection. A BYU professor skilled in target language pedagogy will serve as the university supervisor that completes the observations and evaluations required for licensure. All students will be expected to pass the Praxis Performance Assessment for Teachers (PPAT), which is an online portfolio that measures teacher candidates’ abilities and readiness to teach.

  • Exploration of Foreign Language Teaching: course (4 credits)

  • Practicum in Language Teaching: SLaT 380, cross-listed with course (1credit)

  • Student teaching: SLaT 476 (cross-listed with course, course and course) (12 credits)

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Title

Understand theory and research

Learning Outcome

Summarize and evaluate major theories historical trends and published research regarding second language teaching methodology and approaches.

Title

Apply best teaching practices

Learning Outcome

Explain and apply principles practices and appropriate technology for effectively teaching planning and assessing second language and culture learning.

Title

Analyze language and culture

Learning Outcome

Identify and explain patterns of the target language and culture as a system and how it is linked to the culture.

Title

Conduct research

Learning Outcome

Evaluate and design second language research studies collect and analyze data and report the findings.