Spanish Teaching

Course Progression

Where to start:
Students should start with the language development course that matches their current proficiency. The first required language course in the major is SPAN 321. - Students who are not at an Advanced Low proficiency, should start with a lower level language course.
Use the provided placement map to identify where you should begin.

Plan to take FLANG 276 by your second or third semester in the premajor.

Make sure to complete the required background check and fingerprinting at least a month before registration.

3rd to Last Semester: Students should plan to take their first methods course, SPAN 377. Students should plan on completing their proficiency exams the semester/term before they do practicum (SPAN 380)

2nd to Last Semester: SPAN 378 and SPAN 380 must be taken concurrently. Students should plan to take both courses in the semester prior to students teaching.

Final Semester: During a student’s final semester they will complete student teaching. They will register for SPAN 476. The course is 12 credits and students are expected to have all other coursework completed prior to interning/student teaching.

Course Planning
Be aware that the following classes are only offered at certain times in the year. Please plan accordingly.
FALL ONLY: SPAN 335

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites

• SPAN 321
• Lower level Spanish courses may be necessary if a student's proficiency is not at the Advanced-Low level.
• FLANG 276
• Fingerprinting and Background Check
  
  • Prior to registering for FLANG 276 students must complete a background check and fingerprinting through the Utah State Board of Education.
  • This document provides information on how to complete this process.
  • The fingerprinting and background check is good for 3 years, and may need to be redone if it lapses before student teaching.

How to apply?
Students will begin working on their admissions application while in FLANG 276.
The application will be available on Educator and can be submitted .
Please review the following document for program admission and retention requirements.
Grade and GPA Requirements: In order to apply and be retained in the program a student must maintain a GPA of at least a 2.7 or higher.
Students are also required to pass all major coursework with at least a “C” grade or higher.

Experiential Learning

Students will have multiple opportunities for experiential learning built into their coursework, but may desire additional opportunities

Experiential Learning Coursework

• FLANG 276
• CPSE 402
• SPAN 380
• SPAN 476

Language Immersion Experience:
Students are not required to have had a language immersion experience, however it is strongly encouraged, and can be a valuable experience for students in language development.
A language immersion experience may include:

• Living in a country/region where the language is predominantly spoken.
• Serving a Mission in that language
• Study Abroad/Internship
• Language Immersion Student Resident

Study Abroads:
Students are not required to complete a study abroad experience, but are always encouraged to explore opportunities for experiential learning.
To see a list of currently offered study abroad programs visit the BYU Kennedy Center Website.

Internships:
Students are not required to complete an internship, outside of student teaching, but are always encouraged to explore opportunities for experiential learning.
Resources to find internships:

• Washington Seminar
• Handshake
• On-Campus Internships
• Spanish and Portuguese Internship Coordinator: Scott Alvord

Part-time/Student Job Opportunities
Teaching Assistant

• Often assist professors with teaching and grading responsibilities. TA’s regularly meet with students to provide course help, hold reviews and labs, and assist in grading.
• TA’s are required to have taken the course they are assisting with previously, but do not need to have taken it for the same professor they TA for.
• The best way to find out about TA opportunities is to talk to professors and departments.

Substitute Teaching

• Can be a great way to develop skills in classroom management, as well as begin to identify potential employers and opportunities.
• For more information about becoming a substitute in one of our partnership districts please view the following flyer.

Funding & Internships

Where to find scholarships for tuition

• University Scholarships
• College Scholarship:
  
  • Humanities
  • Humanities Teacher Education Scholarship
    
    • Students should apply the semester before they student teach.
• Department Scholarships:
  
  • Spanish Department
  • McKay School of Education

Where to find scholarships for experiences (study abroad/internships)

• Study Abroad Funding
• Internship Funding
• Utah Student Teacher Stipend (cannot apply until you have started student teaching)
• University financial aid options

There are many resources to help you fund your tuition and experiences at BYU. The Financial Aid Office can help!

Campus Resources

• Spanish and Portuguese Department: For source questions, faculty contacts, and more, contact the Spanish and Portuguese Department
• Pre-Professional Advisement: For pre-med or pre-law resources, contact the Pre-Professional Advisement Center.
• Handshake Internships and Job Board: To search internships and jobs that match your interests and skills, use Handshake.
• Kennedy Center: For International Study programs and funding, contact the BYU Kennedy Center.
• Career Director: To get help connecting to employers and alumni, meet with Michael Elrod.
• Course Descriptions and offerings: To check out which classes will be offered in the upcoming semester, use the BYU Class Search.