Graduate Certification in foreign language teaching Grades 7-12
The following information is a summary of requirements for graduate certification in foreign language teaching, State of Connecticut, grades 7-12. Please download, read, and refer to the full official requirements in the Graduate FL-Cert Student Handbook (pdf). To inquire further about the program or to set up the initial department interview (see below), please contact Dr. Elena Schmitt.
summary of Requirements
The foreign language certification program at Southern is based on the SAILS conceptual framework developed by the School of Education, and uses a four-gate system. In addition, program progress, coursework, and student teaching are assessed using ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language), INTASC (Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium), and CCCL (Connecticut Common Core of Learning) professional development standards.
SAILS is an acronym which stands for Scholarship, Attitudes and Dispositions, Integrity, Leadership, and Service. Each certification candidate must pass through a set of four gates to complete his/her certification program; these gates consist of:
- Entry into the certification program
- Midpoint evaluation in the program
- Pre-student teaching in the program
- Completion of the program
Gate 1: Entry into the certification program
- Course Requirements: 30 credit hours of the target foreign language (including from previous degrees)
- Overall GPA Requirements (from previous coursework): 3.0
- CT Praxis I Exam: pass (http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2613&q=321260) or waiver (http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PDF/Cert/certform/ed_192.pdf)
- Two Letters of Recommendation, one from FL professor or teacher (use LOR form)
- Admission Essay
- Department Interview with FL Certification Coordinator, leading to application to the School of Education
- Department Language Interview with three language experts from FL Department Evaluation committee (use DLI form)
Gate 2: Midpoint evaluation in the program
- Course Requirements: EDF 520 or 526, SED 482, HIS 110 or 112, SHE 203, PSY 215, and FLA 403 (C or higher)
- Overall GPA Requirements (including previous coursework): 3.0
- Pre-teaching portfolio development
Gate 3: Pre-student teaching in the program
- Course Requirements: IDS 470, IDS 471, and EDU 491 (including lab, semester immediately preceding student teaching)
- Overall GPA Requirements (including previous coursework): 3.0
- ACTFL OPI and WPT tests in target language: advanced low proficiency level (http://www.languagetesting.com)
- Continued pre-teaching portfolio development
- Application for student teaching (use ST form and PI form): March 1 deadline for fall placement, October 1 for spring placement
Gate 4: Program completion
- Course Requirements: EDU 452 (Student Teaching), EDU 453
- Overall GPA Requirements (including previous coursework): 3.0
- Student Teaching with cooperating teacher; three successful observations by supervisor
- Completed pre-teaching portfolio
- Program completion, leading to official State of Connecticut certification