Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Spanish—Elementary Education, BAEd
What Is the Study of Spanish-Elementary?
In keeping with the aim of providing the skills needed to learn about a culture in depth, the department trains in two areas: language structure and literary analysis. Language structure is taught both holistically and analytically. Holistic language learning is facilitated by modern methods and multimedia technology, as well as study abroad opportunities. The department supports the analytical instruction of language structure through a full range of language skills courses, as well as a significant number of courses in linguistics. Literary analysis is essential to a student’s understanding of the highest achievements in aesthetic expression of a culture’s values. The department provides instruction in history and culture, as well as literary theory, with an end to enabling the student to gain access to the intellectual life in the culture. The department imparts skills to future foreign language teachers so that they may similarly enable high school students to begin the acquisition of foreign languages.
This major satisfies the academic major requirement for teacher certification with an endorsement in elementary education and must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in Elementary Education offered through Woodring College of Education.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
The Department of Modern and Classical Languages provides students with the skills to learn firsthand about major world societies. The department believes that the best way to understand a culture directly is through its language. The modern languages offered in this department are spoken natively by nearly two billion people. The multifaceted programs of the department provide an opening to the world through language, literature, culture and civilization. It is a meeting place for true diversity.
The BA in or Spanish leads to a BA degree without teacher certification. In order to receive a recommendation for state of Washington certification students must complete the “teacher certification” program which is offered by the Department of Secondary Education.
How to Declare:
Students seeking admission to the major must meet the following conditions:
- Complete SPAN 203 with a “B” or better (transfer students must meet the same requirement for any course accepted as an equivalent to SPAN 203).
- Complete at least one Spanish course at Western.
- Submit application (available from Spanish advisor or department office).
Students meeting qualifications but not admitted because of space limitations may reapply.
Applying to the Elementary Education Professional Program
Admission to the Elementary Education Professional Program is required before a student may begin taking courses in the Professional Sequence. Requirements for consideration of an application include:
- Completion of a minimum of 45 credits (most or all GURs complete)
- Cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher overall or for the last 45 credits
- Acceptable WEST-B scores. This test is offered 6 times a year at various sites in the state. Visit the WEST-B website at www.west.nesinc.com for more information.
- Completion of an English composition course with grade of B- or higher
- Completed application
Meeting the above criteria makes the applicant eligible for admission, but does not guarantee admission. For further information, visit Teacher Education Admissions, Miller Hall 214, 360-650-3313 or visit the web site at www.wce.wwu.edu/admiss. See also: Elementary Education Professional Program Guide.
Coursework
- Minimum of 21 credits must be taken in language skills courses (e.g., 201, 202, 301, 302, 401) through the fourth year
- Remaining credits are to be earned in selected courses under advisement at the 300- or 400-level in the language; up to 24 of these credits may be earned through foreign study course work in language, culture or literature (if taken in the target language)
Elementary Education Professional Program Requirements (103-104 credits)
Professional Studies Core (25 credits)
- EDUC 301 - Educational Psychology I: Development and Individual Differences
- EDUC 302 - Educational Psychology II: Motivation, Learning and Assessment
- EDUC 310 - Education, Culture, and Equity
- ELED 370 - Introduction to Teaching
- I T 344 - Basic Instructional Technology Skills
- I T 442 - Classroom Use of Instructional Technology (Elementary)
- SPED 364 - Teaching Each Student
Elementary Program — Methods, Curriculum Content, and Field Experiences (78-79 credits)
- One course from:
- ART 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
- DNC 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
- MUS 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
- THTR 398 - Integrated Arts for Elementary Educators
- One course from:
- ART 380 - Art Educating the Child
- DNC 433 - Creative Movement for Educators With Lab
- MUS 361 - Music for Elementary Teachers
- THTR 350 - Theatre for Youth
- THTR 351 - Creativity Across the Curriculum
- ELED 425 - Social Studies for the Elementary School
- ELED 470 - Developing Teaching
- ELED 471 - Documenting Teaching
- ELED 480 - Literacy: Beginning Communicators
- ELED 481 - Literacy: Fluent Communicators
- ELED 491 - September Experience
- ELED 492 - Practicum: Experience in Literacy Methods
- ELED 494 - Internship - Elementary
- HLED 455 - Health Education Grades K-8
- MATH 381 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics I
- MATH 382 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics II
- MATH 383 - Teaching K-8 Mathematics III
- MATH 491 - Internship Seminar - Teaching K-8 Mathematics
- PE 345 - Physical Education for Elementary School
- SCED 480 - Science Methods and Curriculum for the Elementary School
- SCED 490 - Laboratory/Field Experience in Elementary Science
GURs:
The courses below satisfy GUR requirements and may also be used to fulfill major requirements.
- BCOM: SPAN 201
- QSR: MATH 381, 382
- HUM: SPAN 202, 203, 301, 302
Note: To fulfill the HUM requirement, courses must be from at least two departments.
Sample Careers
- Elementary Teacher
Department
Contact
Department Website:
http://www.wwu.edu/mcl/spanish/
Modern and Classical Languages Department Office
MH 223, 360-650-3918
Advisor
Shaw N. Gynan
360-650-4853
MH 215A
Elementary Education Professional Program Information
Miller Hall 300
(360) 650-3336
Teacher Education Admissions
MH 150
360-650-3313
Elementary Education Professional Program Advisor and Program
Manager
Ellen Kreider
MH 301D
360-650-7948