FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES 249
Study abroad is also recommended. This program provides excellent preparation for entry level positions in companies doing business internationally, in government service and international agencies, and for graduate studies in business as well as public and international affairs.
Foreign Language and Literature Program The literature course offerings are designed to develop the student's appreciation of the cultural and aesthetic system of the people under study. They are supported by courses in linguistics as well as by cognate courses in philosophy, psychology, sociology, history and the arts. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: Graduate School, college teaching and professional translation.
Foreign Language Teaching Program - Spanish K-12 The objectives of the program are: (1) to give the students an opportunity to become broadly educated in the areas of Spanish language and culture, and (2) to provide a program of teacher education which promotes growth, development, professionalism and expertise for successful teaching. Students who wish to prepare themselves as secondary Spanish teachers must make formal application to the teacher education program through the School of Education. For a detailed explanation of all requirements refer to the catalog portion under Education. Students who wish to enter the Language Teaching Program, Spanish K-12, must make this decision by the end of the first semester of their sophomore year. Due to strict Pennsylvania Certification requirements and the degree of mastery necessary to teach a foreign language, specific preparation for this profession must begin no later than the above deadline. Majors in the Foreign Language Teaching program must take a proficiency test in Spanish during the second semester of the sophomore year. Students who do not achieve a grade of C plus or better will be asked to change to another language program or a different major. Special Regulations apply to native speakers of Spanish who wish to become certified to teach their native language: Oral fluency is not considered adequate preparation to enter the teaching program. Such applicants must prove that they understand and can explain the grammatical structure of their native language and of English by passing a written test, given in the language department, with a grade of B or better. If successful, they will receive credit for SPAN 211 and will be accepted into the program. Applicants who test below this minimum will be advised to choose another major. SPAN 211 is closed to native speakers of Spanish since it is geared to the needs of American students of the foreign language. Once accepted into the program, native speakers may take challenge exams in composition, conversation, civilization, literature, when appropriate, however, introductory and intermediate Spanish courses may not be challenged for credit. The regulations apply to incoming freshmen as well as all other applicants. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: Public and private school teaching in Kindergarten through grade 12. These opportunities have been increasing as more and more school districts realize the importance of improving or re-establishing their foreign language offerings. For students of Spanish, there exist additional career possibilities in agencies with Hispanic clientele, especially for graduates with some background in social work. For teaching on the college level, graduate studies are required, for which assistantships and scholarships are usually available to wellqualified applicants.