Master of Arts in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language
This graduate program is a collaborative effort between Lamar University and the University of Salamanca. It leads to the Master of Arts in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language (M.A.), awarded by Lamar. It also includes the distinctive certificates that are awarded by the University of Salamanca that acknowledge your summer sessions in residence in Spain, where you will complete our máster Interuniversitario Hispano-Norteamericano en Lengua Española y Culturas Hispanas, awarded by the University of Salamanca.
Who might be interested in this kind of degree program?
- Current K-12 Spanish teachers;
- Students graduating with a degree in Spanish seeking to obtain a Master’s degree;
- Current or future community college and university adjunct faculty in Spanish.
This course of study has been designed specifically for Spanish teachers, providing graduate level course work in literature, art and culture, as well as teaching methodology. The program allows for professional development and career advancement by enabling you to improve your language and your teaching skills, as well as your knowledge of Spanish and Hispanic cultures.
Program Description
Thesis Option
The thesis option requires you to complete 30 semester hours of graduate work: 24 in advanced Spanish courses and six in thesis. Students will write and orally defend a critical thesis or complete an approved written academic project.
Non-Thesis Option (Teaching Portfolio)
The non-thesis option allows you to construct and orally defend your teaching portfolio in lieu of a thesis. After 27 hours of courses completed with a B or better, you will enroll in the teaching practicum course (SPAN 5390).
Regarding the Oral Defense
- Ask a professor to chair your committee, and this should be done no later than the semester before your planned graduation (if possible, it should be done sooner).
- You and your chair should confer about other possible members of the committee, and once you have agreed on a list of names, it is your duty to make the first contact with these other possible members and secure at least an informal agreement (you would be best advised to see these possible members in person when making initial contact).
- You and your chair should see to it that the committee membership is formally registered in the Office of the Department of English and Modern Languages.
- In the semester that you hope to graduate, you and/or the committee chair should notify the departmental office. The department will contact the members of the committee, arrange a time and prepare the G-5 form (schedule for oral examination) to be signed by you and the committee members.
- As the exam date approaches, the department office will provide the committee chair with a G-7 form, which will be completed and turned in when you pass the exam. If the committee believes that you did not adequately pass the thesis defense or oral exam, the G-7 provides space for commentary. If the committee believes that you are not sufficient in the thesis defense or oral exam, it may recommend that you complete written answers to certain questions, complete a research or written project over certain questions/topics or satisfactorily complete another oral exam within a specified time as determined by the committee with a maximum of one semester. These conditions should be filed in the department office and on the G-7.
- Committee chairs will remain informed about current processes and forms specified above.
General Program Information
By following the prescribed sequence of courses, you may complete the M.A. in two continuous summers and one class in each fall and spring session. The two-year cycle includes curriculum rotation featuring Spain, Latin America and Mexico/Hispanic United States.
Selected courses are offered during the academic year to supplement the summer offerings. Our M.A. program accommodates a variety of your needs and options. Like some of our other Master’s degree programs, Lamar will offer this program online.
Salamanca Semester: Consortium Agreement transfer credit
During the Spanish Peninsular rotation, up to 9 hours of coursework will be completed during a summer Study Abroad experience in Salamanca, Spain. Credit for these classes is treated as Consortium agreement transfer credit from the University of Salamanca to Lamar. Since ours is primarily a summer program, you are expected to complete at least one summer session in Salamanca as part of the M.A. experience.
Questions, information, letters of recommendation and personal statements (see below) should be sent to:
Dr. Elia Hatfield, Director
Master of Teaching in Spanish Program
P.O. Box 10023
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX 77710
Funding
A College of Graduate Studies Scholarship of $1000 annually is available to full-time graduate students.
The English and Modern Languages department offers a limited number of graduate assistantships; awarded competitively.
Curriculum
Courses Taught at Lamar University:
SPAN 5300: Critical Approaches to Literature and Culture for Teachers
The topic will be related to the teaching of Spanish literature or to the teaching of an aspect of Hispanic literature or culture.
SPAN 5310: Acquisition of Spanish as a Second Language and Methods of Teaching
Survey of a selection of studies exploring topics that range from the development of second language (Spanish) grammars, to second language production and comprehension, input processing and the acquisition of pragmatic and sociolinguistic competence.
SPAN 5350: Teaching of a Foreign Language to Non-Native and Heritage Language Learners
Review of the fundamental issues of Spanish grammar from the perspective of teaching the language to non-native and Heritage Language learners and analyzes concepts and methods for learning and teaching language. Teaching strategies will be discussed and classroom materials will be provided.
SPAN 5360: Studies in Latin American Literature/Topics in Contemporary Spanish American Literature
Variable topics course which may include poetry, drama, short story, novel and essay.
SPAN 5370: Studies in Latin American Culture
Analysis of cultural themes of daily life in contemporary Latin America and an overview of the historical trajectory of the nation. It also provides a complete panorama of the social, political and economic characteristics of contemporary Latin America.
SPAN 5380: Studies of Hispanic Literatures in the United States
Study of cultural phenomena produced among U.S. Hispanics. The course focuses on belief systems, artistic production, laws, customs and other socially determined behaviors. Topics such as colonization, popular culture, communication, art, religious syncretism and native indigenous cultures will be explored.
SPAN 5390: Special Topics in Teaching: Practicum
Practicum in selected topics related to the teaching of Spanish, such as assessment, teaching materials development, the teaching of specific linguistic skills.
Courses Taught at University of Salamanca:
SPAN 5320: Sintaxis del Español (Spanish Syntax)
Review of the fundamental issues of Spanish grammar from the perspective of teaching the language to non-native speakers and analyzes concepts and methods for learning and teaching language. Teaching strategies will be discussed and classroom materials will be provided.
SPAN 5330: Literatura Española (Spanish Peninsular Literature)
Variable topics course which may include poetry, drama, short story, novel and essay.
SPAN 5340: Cultura Española (Spanish Peninsular Culture)
Analysis of cultural themes of daily life in contemporary Spain and an overview of the historical trajectory of the nation. It also provides a complete panorama of the social, political and economic characteristics of contemporary, democratic Spain.
How to Apply
All applications should be made online at Apply Texas, or through Lamar's Graduate Studies webpage. Click on “Admissions” and look for “Apply Texas application form.”
Please note the application deadlines below:
To compete for Teaching Assistantship beginning in the Fall: Jan. 15
To begin in Spring Semester (no financial aid): Dec. 15
If you wish to begin leveling coursework before your admission to the MAT program, you may do so through Lamar's Post Bac non degree seeking programs.
Admission Requirements
- A Bachelor's degree in Spanish from an accredited college or university, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in your undergraduate major documented by an official transcript.
- Proficiency in the Spanish language. Proficiency may be demonstrated by two options:
- By exam. The official exam determining this proficiency is offered once a year at Lamar.
- You may earn the Diploma in Spanish issued by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (Nivel intermedio, B2). The Diploma must be earned within three years of the date of application.
- Three letters of recommendation. At least two of these should be from professors. These letters may be sent by mail or electronically, after applying, to the director of the program: Dr. Elia Hatfield, Director, Spanish MAT, Box 10023, English Department, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX 77710
- A personal statement, in which you explain your reasons for pursuing the Spanish Graduate Program. The statement should be written in English. These letters should also be addressed to the Director (see above) and may be sent after applying.
- We do not request GRE scores for admission to the M.A. Teaching Spanish program
- Although you are expected to have a B.A. in Spanish, admission may be considered if you otherwise demonstrate the competency necessary for successful graduate work in Spanish. If you are lacking advanced coursework, you will be required to take 4000 level courses in each of the four principal content areas in which you are deficient: composition, conversation, literature and culture. You must complete these courses with a grade of B or better before beginning the graduate curriculum, either at Lamar or at the University of Salamanca.
You must also meet all other university-required standards for admittance.