Second Language Teaching MA

Why SLaT?

This college-wide program uniquely prepares students with second language teaching skills, which are based on sound teaching theories that build on and go beyond the scientific study of language. The SLaT M.A. assists second- and foreign-language teachers in improving their professional qualifications in second language pedagogy, research, and assessment.

The focus is on teacher preparation, providing a skillset suitable for a variety of careers within both higher education and second language teaching. There is an industry need for teachers who are prepared to teach a variety of languages; this program helps to satisfy that need. The SLaT program also prepares a foundation for continued study in Ph.D. programs in foreign language education and eventual entry into academia.

Is SLaT for Me?

The SLaT program is ideally suited to the needs of individuals who have completed undergraduate degrees in a foreign language and have an interest in teaching their acquired language in an advanced educational setting, such as in a college or university, or in a business enterprise. The SLaT M.A. is not a public-school certification program, but the program will be beneficial to currently certified foreign language teachers as part of their continuing professional development or as preparation to pursue a Ph.D.

For more information on the program requirements, please visit the catalog.

NOTE: Those who wish to teach English, Portuguese, or Spanish should apply to the TESOL or Spanish/Portuguese MA programs rather than to SLaT.

Public School Teachers

The Second Language Teaching MA can accommodate full-time, public school teachers who are able to come to campus in the evenings and during the summer.  Normally, these students complete their degree in 3 years and take 1 evening class each semester, with 1-2 courses in the summer.  Most of our courses are held in the late afternoon or evening.

Those who participate in BYU Summer Institutes for Teachers of French or German may apply that coursework to the MA program. For more information, please contact us at slatma@byu.edu.

Optional 3rd Year Teaching Licensure Track

The current BYU Second Language Teaching (SLaT) MA does not lead to state licensure. Therefore, an optional 3^rd year licensure track is available for students who wish to not only graduate with an MA in Second Language Teaching but also obtain a teaching license.

There is an industry need for trained and qualified instructors who are prepared to teach a variety of languages, particularly in Utah, where there are more dual language immersion (DLI) programs (one-way) than in any other state. The proposed 3^rd year licensure track will meet all licensing requirements including course work and exams.

The SLaT 3^rd year licensure option will only be available to students in languages that are taught in BYU's partnership districts (Provo, Alpine, Nebo, Jordan, Wasatch) where BYU can place students for practicum and student teaching. Those languages are currently Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Portuguese, and Russian.

Application Requirements:

Students should apply and be accepted to the third-year licensure track. The following requirements should be met.

• Prospective students should apply to be admitted to the third-year licensure program before the fourth semester of the second year. This acceptance will be contingent upon the completion of the M.A. requirements, including the thesis/project.
• Students who are accepted into the 3^rd year licensure program must attain an ACTFL OPI rating of Advanced-Low or higher. (Advanced-Mid or higher is required for DLI).
• Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and may not have any grade lower than a B- (classes can be repeated).
• Students should submit one letter of recommendation from a faculty member.

Tuition

Scholarships
Scholarships are available for the third year licensure option based on student academic performance and student evaluations. Availability is dependent on need. Contact slatma@byu.edu after acceptance for scholarship enquiries.

Fall Semester:

McKay School of Education Classes (11 credits):
SLaT students who choose to do the 3^rd year licensure track will join with BYU education majors to take the following classes.

• CPSE 402 - Educating Students with Disabilities in Secondary Classrooms (2 credits)
• SC ED 353 - Multicultural Education for Secondary Education (3 credits)
• SC ED 375 - Adolescent Development and Classroom Management (3 credits)
• IPT 371, 372 - Integrating K-12 Educational Technology 1, 2 (2 credits)
• IPT 373 - Teaching in K-12 Online and Blended Learning Contexts (1 credit)
• Students must pass the Praxis in their language of instruction prior to beginning student teaching. Go to https://www.ets.org/praxis/ut/test-takers/plan-your-test/licensure-requirements.html#accordion-654bf1c582-item-01c71fcd4e

Additional Field Experience Classes (17 credits):
SlaT 3^rd year licensure track students will join the Spanish/French/German teaching practicums and student teaching courses (below). These students will have a cohort and meet weekly to develop lesson plans, discuss teaching experiences, refine teaching skills, and engage in professional development and reflection. A BYU professor skilled in target language pedagogy will serve as the university supervisor that completes the observations and evaluations required for licensure. All students will be expected to pass the Praxis Performance Assessment for Teachers (PPAT), which is an online portfolio that measures teacher candidates’ abilities and readiness to teach.

• Exploration of Foreign Language Teaching: FLANG  276 (4 credits). Ideally this class should be taken 3^rd or 4^th semester of the SLaT Program as prospective teachers visit many different language classrooms.
• Practicum in Language Teaching: SLaT 380, cross-listed with SPAN 380 (1credit). This practicum should be taken fall semester.

Winter Semester:

• Student Teaching/PPAT: SLaT 476 (cross-listed with FREN 476, GERM 476, and SPAN 476) (12 credits). Student teaching occurs winter semester.