flt certification: undergraduate
B.S. in Foreign Language with Teaching Certification Grades 7-12
The following information is a summary of requirements for initial (undergraduate) certification in foreign language teaching, State of Connecticut grades 7-12. Please download, read, and refer to the full, official requirements in the Undergraduate 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 is 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
- Enrollment and progress towards B.A. or B.S. in French, German, Italian, or Spanish.
- Course Requirements: EDU 201, foreign language courses at 200-level with B- or higher
- Overall GPA Requirements (including outside coursework): 2.7
- 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
Gate 2: Midpoint evaluation in the program
- Progress towards B.A. or B.S. in French, German, Italian, or Spanish.
- Course Requirements: EDU 413, SED 482, FLA 403 (C or higher), foreign language courses at 300-level with B- or higher
- Overall GPA Requirements (including outside coursework): 2.7; ≥2.0 in target language courses
- Pre-teaching portfolio development
- Department Language Interview with three language experts from FL Department Evaluation committee (use DLI form)
Gate 3: Pre-student teaching in the program
- Progress towards B.A. or B.S. in French, German, Italian, or Spanish.
- Course Requirements: PHI 370, PSY 370, SED 482, SHE 203, IDS 470, IDS 471, EDU 491 (including lab, semester immediately preceding student teaching)
- Overall GPA Requirements (including outside coursework): 2.7; ≥2.7 in target language courses
- 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
- Progress and completion of B.A. or B.S. in French, German, Italian, or Spanish.
- Course Requirements: EDU 452 (Student Teaching), EDU 453
- Overall GPA Requirements (including outside coursework): 2.7; ≥2.7 in target language courses
- Student Teaching with cooperating teacher; three successful observations by supervisor
- Completed pre-teaching portfolio
- Program completion, leading to official State of Connecticut certification