What Classes Should I Take to Be a Spanish Teacher?
Spanish teachers need a diverse academic training program that goes well beyond basic foreign language classes. They must be able to teach about the culture of the Spanish speaking countries. They also need to be well-read in the literature of Hispanic cultures. Many foreign language programs require a basic knowledge of another language in the same linguistic family---such as French, Italian or Portuguese. Education courses also provide practical knowledge of teaching methodology.
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Language Instruction
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To become a Spanish teacher, a solid foundation of grammar---tenses, moods, punctuation, spelling rules and pronunciation---can be acquired in the first two years of study. A course on conversation is basic training for any future Spanish teacher.
Culture
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Spanish culture class will enable the Spanish teacher to communicate Spain's richness and trace its influence as the language spread throughout the Americas. Figures such as El Cid, Don Quixote and Pablo Picasso should be understood and appreciated by the future teacher.
Latin American culture class explores the diversity of cultures, ethnicities, language groups and racial mixture of Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Hernan Cortes, Simon Bolivar, the Incas, Mayans, Aztecs and Tainos are all part of this culture.
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Literature
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A Spanish teacher must explore the literature of Spain and Latin America. Elective literature classes can cover authors such as Miguel de Cervantes, Octavio Paz, Federico Garica Lorca, Ernesto Sabato, Isabel Allende and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. All literary genres should be accounted for in the program including poem, essay, short story, drama and novel.
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