Courses

FIRST SUMMER

1. Second Language and Immersion Methodologies (4 credits)
Students will examine past and present methods of teaching a second language, drawing on their own experiences to enhance the discussions and understandings.   Models and principles for immersion instruction will be contrasted with second language instructional principles.  Observation and analysis of a variety of methodologies in action at the Language Villages will help students define their personal instructional philosophy and methodology.

2. Introduction to Quantitative and Qualitative Research (4 credits)
Students will be introduced to the vocabulary, theory, primary principles, methods, and techniques of qualitative and quantitative methods of inquiry.  Students will read and review a variety of research articles related to second language methodologies.

3. Motivating Students via Technology (2 credits)
Students will discuss how technology can be used in the second language classroom to motivate language learners.  Through observations and discussions of how technology is used at the Language Villages, students will design a unit of instruction incorporating technology.


INTERIM ACADEMIC YEAR - Technology Sequence     

1. Technology for Effective Language Instruction (4 credits)
Based on current research and methodological approaches, students will explore the many available uses of technology in second language instruction.  The course will also enable students to critically analyze and assess commercially produced materials for the language classroom.  This course will be offered online.

2. Accessing Cultural Products, Practices, and Perspectives via Technology (4 credits)
Students will increase their web navigating skills to access authentic materials and instructional resources on the web.  They will learn how to use web-based instructional materials effectively to enhance understanding of cultural products, practices, and perspectives.  This course will be offered online.


SECOND SUMMER

1. Assessment in the World Language Classroom (4 credits)
Students will discuss the theoretical and practical foundations in learner-centered and performance-based assessments.  The role of national standards, the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) K-12 Performance Guidelines and the LinguaFolio in assessing language learning will be presented.  Students will examine a variety of assessment tools and their use in providing meaningful feedback to both teachers and students.

2. Content-based Language Learning (4 credits)
Students will examine the principles and characteristics of content-based instruction in the second language classroom.  A continuum of program models ranging from content-driven to language-driven instruction will be discussed along with implications for curriculum and instruction. Students will design a content-based unit of instruction to demonstrate understanding of the methodology.

3. Intensive Language Skills in Target Language (2 credits)
Students will actively participate in the planning and delivery of a variety of programs at the Language Villages in collaboration with staff members and native speakers.


FINAL FALL SEMESTER

1. On-line Thesis Seminar (2 credits)
Students will participate in an online seminar to work on their thesis with their faculty advisor and to share progress with others who are working on their thesis. Instruction will be provided in on-line units which will vary according to the students' needs and the topics of the theses.   

2. Thesis (4 credits)
The thesis will be a written work of publishable quality and will include documentation of literature review and evidence of extensive research to inform the work.  During the first summer of participation in the program, students will be introduced to the thesis, begin to select a topic and be assigned a faculty advisor.  The thesis will be written in APA format and will consist of 5 chapters:  Statement of the Problem, Literature Review, Design of the Study/Methodology, Results/Findings, and Discussion and Conclusions.

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