Majors / Language Studies—Teaching

Language Studies—Teaching (B.A.)

Indiana State University

The Language Studies Program is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education—and is unique within colleges in the Midwest in its flexibility that enables students to tailor their academic program to their individual goals.

Description:

The University offers a bachelor of arts (B.A.) in language studies teaching.

This program is designed for students who wish to obtain licensure to teach in middle school, junior high, and high school. Courses leading to teaching licensure are offered in French, German, Latin, Spanish, and teaching English as a second language.

Coursework includes a core of languages, literatures, and linguistics courses—plus one (or more) of the following concentrations:

  • Spanish Teaching
  • World Languages (French, German, Latin)
  • Teaching English as a Second Language

In addition, students complete a sequence of professional courses offered by the Bayh College of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences to prepare for teaching. Students gain teaching skills through classroom and field experiences—and through their required student teaching experience.

Study Abroad - Venice, Italy
  • Language proficiency is expanded through the University's extensive array of study abroad opportunities, which range from summer programs to a single semester or a full academic year in over 56 countries. Many cost only the equivalent of tuition, room, and board at ISU, making study abroad an affordable experience. In addition, financial aid and scholarships can be used for ISU programs— and additional scholarships are available through the office of Academic Programs Abroad. All language studies majors are required to study abroad.
  • The department sponsors a variety of activities such as conversation tables, international films, lectures, and field trips to museums, art exhibits, musical performances, restaurants, and cultural sites in Indiana and Illinois, including Indianapolis and Chicago.
  • Other opportunities include Phi Sigma Iota (the national foreign language honor society) and Eta Sigma Phi (the national classics honorary society). Students also may earn the 12-credit TESL/TEFL Certificate (opening opportunities for teaching abroad) or may volunteer as language instructors at local elementary schools, where they work with teachers and students in a specific language. They may also have opportunities for internships with practical experience.
  • The department offers students a state-of-the-art, computerized language laboratory.

Special Note:

Students should be aware that in the case of less commonly taught languages some courses may not be routinely available on campus. Credit can be earned via appropriate study abroad or transfer work.

Students who enter with a strong language background are eligible to receive credit by examination through various sources such as the University's placement test or CLEP tests for beginning and intermediate level credit, and the ACTFL test for advanced level credit.

Required Courses:

[ list all ]

Careers:

Foreign language teachers are in high demand in all languages, especially Spanish and teaching English as a new language—and our graduates have a very high placement rate in Indiana and across the United States.

In addition to teaching positions, language study leads to hundreds of career opportunities, enhances each student's resume, and increases salary potential. Many of our graduates have established careers in a wide range of fields, including international business, U.S. Department of State, law, military intelligence, nursing, banking, medicine, and state and local government agencies.

Language study also is excellent preparation for graduate school or advanced study in many disciplines.

Accreditation:

The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

In addition, the Language Studies Teaching Program is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Students have many sources of financial support for their studies, including financial aid, work-study programs, veterans' benefits, and special scholarships for entering freshmen and transfer students.

Scholarships for study abroad programs are available through the office of Academic Programs Abroad.

In addition, the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics offers a number of scholarships and awards, including the following:

  • Michael D. Buzash Le Cercle Francais Scholarship (French)
  • Karen Graesch Lukens Scholarship (French)
  • Lillian-Gay Berry Memorial Latin Scholarship
  • Gertrude Ewing Latin Scholarship
  • Charlotte W. Ghurye Memorial Scholarship (German, cross-linguistics)
  • Julie Bevilacqua Cutter Scholarship (language teaching majors who are international students)
  • Mary Olga Peters Award (all languages)

Most of these are for modest amounts. There is, however, a sizable scholarship for entering students who are intending to study German.

For information about these awards, contact the department.

Further Information

Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Indiana State University
812-237-2366
www.indstate.edu/lll


Last updated: September 26, 2012



The Catalog of Indiana State University is the document of authority for all students. The requirements given in the catalog supersede information issued by any academic department, program, college, or school. The University reserves the right to change the requirements at any time.

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