Description
This program is designed for students who wish to become
secondary school teachers (grades 9-12, adolescence and young
adulthood) of Spanish. Candidates complete courses which give
them a thorough command of the four language skills (listening,
speaking, reading, writing), culture and civilization, and
literature. Literature courses include an introduction to
basic literary concepts as well as survey courses which focus
on significant literary works from various genres.
In addition to formal classroom preparation on our campus,
many students in this program spend extensive periods of time
participating in study abroad opportunities (junior-year-abroad
or summer), which give them an invaluable total immersion
experience in both the language and culture. As a result of
their preparation and a concern for accountability, our graduates
are in demand for positions in both public and private secondary
schools throughout the country. It is not uncommon for them
to receive more than one job offer. A high level of professionalism
is expected and attendance at inservice conferences such as
the Indiana Foreign Language Teachers Association and the
Central State Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
is a reflection of this philosophy.
While we are ceding to the Praxis II examination to verify
an appropriate level of preparation, for many years the Department
of Foreign Languages and Literatures administered both a diagnostic
and final oral examination to determine whether students were
adequately prepared to conduct classes in the foreign language
at all levels.
Although institutional approval for the preparation of middle
school teachers (early adolescent program) exists, we are
not submitting mapping or other documentation because we do
not have sufficient faculty to offer that option. Furthermore,
there is an absence of job opportunities at this level.
History of the Program
Foreign Language Education at Purdue: The rear view mirror,
the windshield, and the high beam headlights
An automobile trip over the Labor Day vacation probably lead
to the automotive metaphor that structures this presentation
and the authors promise every effort to keep from using it
excessively.
Purdue has had a program in this area since the late 1950’s.
Elton Hocking, Department Head of what was then the Modern
languages Department in the School of Humanities Social Science
and Education (hence the library named HSSE) maintained a
strong interest in then current technologies for language
teaching. These included a kind of distance learning facilitated
by the MPATI (Midwest Program for Airborne Television Instruction)
Today we may chuckle to learn that MPATI involved a plane
flying around the Midwest to act as satellites do today. Still,
some of the earliest known experiments in language laboratories
were carried on at Purdue and Professors such as Earle Randall
lead the Modern Language Association to add emphases on testing
and the teaching of language (as opposed to literature). Our
first joint appointment with Education was William N. Hatfield
circa 1965. The appointment was negotiated by Don Walther
(Head, ML ) and Charles Hicks (Head, Education). Memory does
not serve to indicate whether Kenneth Chastain was jointly
appointed, but his book on language teaching methodology is
known as a pioneer in the arenas of cognitive learning theory
and language learning. Similarly, textbooks by William Flint
Smith made use of such devices as advanced organizers for
readings while the Assistant Department Head of Modern Languages,
Channing Blickenstaff worked on administrative matters. Another
joint appointment brought Joseph A. Wipf (circa 1971) and
Alan Garfinkel (1972) to campus. Achievements of all the above
have included approximately twenty books, 90 lesser publications
and about two million dollars in grants. (The figure is respectable
in terms of the monies available to the field.) Some 40 scholars
have earned doctoral degrees in Foreign Language Education
at Purdue (all appropriately employed) while about 15 more
will do so in the coming few years. Since 1965 an estimated
350 language teachers have been certified and their work can
be said to be the most important “product” of
the program. Purdue language teachers continue to enjoy an
excellent reputation and have seldom gone without appropriate
employment.
Looking out the windshield brings us awareness of the here
and now. The program continues. Faculty interests include
authentic materials (real things with which to teach language),
service learning, participation in the Professional Development
School contract with Lafayette Jefferson High School. Our
efforts in technological arenas (e.g. Web CT and Intel’s
Teach to the Future program) are strong and sincere. One wonders
if scholars of 2043 will spare us spared the chuckles afforded
today to 1950’s pre-satellite efforts. Perhaps not.
Technology, nonetheless, is a vital branch of teacher education.
Engagement with the community at large (e.g.: Chamber of Commerce,
Indiana State Teachers Association, Indiana Adult Literacy
Coalition, Lafayette Adult Resource Academy, Rotary International)
is highly valued as are professional associations like the
American Association of Teachers of German and the Indiana
Foreign language Teachers Association. Faculty continue to
write text materials for high school classes. This year we
are proud to have ten prospective foreign language student
teaching. It might be well to meet such enthusiastic candidates
as Nikiki Smith and Michael Dodds. Foreign Language Education
doctoral candidates regularly receive high praise from COE
faculty. Some have been financially assisted by the faculty
members and Jim Greenan, George Font, Bev Cox, Dick Lesh,
and Jo Ann Phillion are among those who have worked with them.
There is reason for pride in all the program’s doctoral
candidates. (Stacia Pleasants is one who is more available
than some and will bring the COE great pride because of the
quality of her work in the discovery arena.)
What might be seen in the high beams of the headlights may
depend on the eye of the beholder. There is strong interest
in the Department of Foreign Languages Literatures and among
individuals in Language and Literacy in recruiting a jointly
appointed faculty member to replace those who intend to retire
soon. The ideal candidate would have three years of experience
(or equivalent) as a licensed teacher of at least one foreign
language, along with an intense interest in learning, discovery
and engagement. We know that younger children tend to retain
an imitative capacity that many older children lose. This
capacity facilitates language learning and attitudes toward
it. The nature of a globalized economy, of the sort described
by Thomas L. Friedman in The Lexus and the Olive Tree (2000)
demands that American secondary school students develop less
isolationist attitudes than those they have had. The notion
that “They all speak English.” is false and damaging
to one’s capacity to negotiate (Adachi, 1997). For these
reasons, the successful candidate should have familiarity
with elementary school teaching and learning. Finally, there
is interest in seeking development monies to establish a chair
in foreign language education so that the program may be solidly
based in Curriculum and Instruction. We have a number of potential
donors and work with Abe Cross to seek others will continue
so along as it fits the COE strategic plan. At this point,
new students are not sought, but some may be “adopted”
by other L &L faculty.
We have tried to keep our promise to eschew overuse of our
automotive metaphor. If we have failed, please forgive us
that and our having sounded our own horns.
Program Standards
Candidate Standards
Professional Association Standards for Teachers:
Related K-12 Student Standards
Purdue University
Teacher Education Program Standards
Faculty
Alan Garfinkel, Ph.D.
Department of Curriculum and Instruction .25 FTE
Joseph A. Wipf, Ph.D.
Department of Curriculum and Instruction .25 FTE
M. H. Gupta, Ph.D.
M. H. Gupta
Chair, FLL Undergraduate Committee
Academic Advisor, FLL and Study Abroad
1114 Beering Hall
100 N. University Street
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
phone: 494-3690
e-mail: mgupta@sla.purdue.edu.
Admission Requirements
Program of Study
Required Professional Education
Courses
Block I - EDCI 205 Exploring Teaching as
a Career / EDCI 285 Multiculturalism and Education
* Students complete 16 hours of field experience at a participating
Block I school.
Purpose of Block I: To introduce students to the field of
teaching by having the students examine issues from a teacher
perspective, emphasizing the importance of multi-culturalism.
Block II - EDPS 235 Learning and Motivation
/ EDPS 265 Inclusive Classroom
* Students complete 14 hours of field experience at a participating
Block II school.
A sincere effort is made to place students in a middle school
and a high school by the time they complete Block II.
Purpose of the Block: To have students explore the processes
involved in student learning and the characteristics and needs
of learners with exceptional needs and talents.
EDCI 427 - The Teaching of Modern Foreign
Languages in Secondary Schools (two-three credit hours)
* Students visit a classroom for a total of 30 hours per semester.
Purpose of EDCI 427: To learn foreign language methods through
a combination of lecture, computer-facilitated interaction
and guided on-site secondary school experiences.
Student Teaching, EDCI 498B Supervised Teaching
in the Secondary School - One 10 week placement.
Uses of Technology
Assessments
Assessments About Candidates
- Fall 2003 Gate Portfolio Assessment Summaries
Assessments About the Program
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* Please
note, this site was prepared for the March 6-10, 2004,
NCATE/IPSB Board of Examiners visit. The information posted
here is available to the public and every attempt is being
made to ensure its completeness and accuracy. If you have
any updates or corrections, or have difficulty accessing or
locating any documents, please contact T. J. Oakes, NCATE
Coordinator, at oakest@purdue.edu
or 765-494-5486, or contact Richard Frisbie, Assessment Coordinator
and WebMaster at rfrisbie@purdue.edu
or 765-494-2360.
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