What You Need to Become a Spanish Teacher

Spanish instructors teach about ancient cultures.

Spanish teachers share a wide range of knowledge with their students regarding the language and culture of the Hispanic people of the world. The educational preparation of a Spanish teacher includes courses in language, literature and culture. Special classes in education help with the methodology of teaching languages to second-language learners.

Significance

Spanish teachers are language instructors who generally teach students whose first language is other than Spanish to speak and understand Spanish as a foreign language. Additionally, many school districts' Spanish instructors teach a program of bilingual education, termed Spanish for Heritage Speakers/Native Speakers. This class helps students whose first language is Spanish to become more fully fluent in speaking, listening, reading and writing the language of their parents. These students also gain important knowledge of the literature and culture of their ancestors.

Types of Degrees

Spanish teachers normally earn a bachelor of arts degree in Spanish from a four-year college or university. They simultaneously earn a bachelor's degree in Education to earn their teaching credentials. As they progress in their career, many return to earn either a master's of arts degree in Spanish or a master's in Education. Those desiring to teach Spanish at the college or university level need to earn the master's degree and enter into a Ph.D. program. Upon earning a Ph.D in Spanish, the professor is eligible for a tenured position at a college or university.

Features

A balanced program of study at the undergraduate level includes the equivalent of three years of basic language training. A course or two on phonetics, phonology or other linguistics is standard. Several introductory courses of literature from different time periods round out the program. Classes on Cervantes' "Quijote," The Novel of the Mexican Revolution, Chicano Literature and the Novel of the 20th Century are all solid electives. A course in both Spanish and Latin-American Culture helps the prospective Spanish teacher learn about the cultures from which the language and literature originate.

Considerations

As a Spanish teacher you must decide whether you intend to teach Spanish to children at the junior high, high school, college or university level. You must know whether your students will be first- or second-language learners. The area of the country or world in which you intend to teach must be factored in when choosing your electives.

Misconceptions

Many people believe that a degree in Spanish limits you to teaching in the classroom. The diverse subject matter is also fine preparation for work in areas of business, communications, government employment and social services. Many use their degree to enter other master's-degree programs in Business, Theology or Law.

References

• Become a Spanish Teacher: Education and Career Requirements
• How Do I Become a Spanish Teacher?
• Become a Foreign Language Teacher