Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Educator Licensure - Foreign Languages


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Students majoring in French, German, or Spanish who seek licensure to teach a language in grades K-12 should consult with the Foreign Language Educator Licensure office at the earliest possible opportunity. Educator licensure involves significant requirements in addition to the completion of a language degree and university general education requirements.

Procedures


Declare a major in French, German, or Spanish; usually with an emphasis in language and literature. Consult each semester with the adviser for courses in the specific language major.

Consult with the Foreign Language Educator Licensure office at the time the major is declared and at the beginning of each semester thereafter.

Apply for the first clinical course, ILAS 201, in the March or October prior to the semester in which you wish to take it.

A study abroad experience is highly recommended for all students in the foreign language educator licensure program.

Students are admitted to the educator licensure program when they have:

  • completed the written application for admission to the program, and a satisfactory interview,
  • passed the Illinois Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP, formerly, Basic Skills Test) or the ACT score substitution (22 composite or higher with a combined English/Writing score of 19 or above for tests taken before 9/1/2015 or a writing score of 16+ for tests taken after 9/1/2015),
  • attained a cumulative GPA of 2.75 at the time of application, and a GPA of 3.00 in the language in which the applicant hopes to be licensed,
  • successfully completed ILAS 201 or equivalent, and
  • earned a grade of at least B in an advanced grammar course in the major language.

Retention


Students admitted to the program must maintain the GPA requirements of 2.75 overall and 3.00 in the foreign language major, and display appropriate professional dispositions at all times.

Requirements in Department


Educator licensure students are required to take all the regular courses for a French, German, or Spanish major, in addition to choosing specific culture and linguistics courses as upper-level electives. Educator licensure students consult regularly with both the language adviser and the Foreign Language Educator Licensure office when choosing courses.

Requirements outside Department


Prerequisites


For students who do not have an ACT+ writing score eligible for substitution and who have not passed the TAP, a course in Test of Academic Proficiency preparation may be required. Consult the Foreign Language Educator Licensure office.

The following prerequisites should be taken as part of the B.A.:

Other requirements outside of department


A study abroad experience. Please see the adviser for information on which of the required courses for the major can be taken abroad. Students who elect not to study abroad must take one approved course outside the department focusing on the target cultures, including, but not limited to an ANTH, ARTH, GEOG, HIST, POLS, or SOCI course.

Education course work in foundations of education, human development and learning, assessment, teaching exceptional students, and teaching English Language Learners, as well as any required prerequisites for these courses. Consult with the Foreign Language Educator Licensure office about which courses are approved for satisfying this requirement.

Clinical courses


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