Modern Foreign Languages Major with Adolescence Education

The purpose of the major program is to educate students to think and perceive rationally and critically. This education includes reading and thinking; learning about literary and cultural movements; and making connections between the primarily aesthetic literary artifacts of the culture and its political, social, and economic history.

Through the Emerson Foreign Language Laboratory, students are trained to use new learning and technology media at all language levels to allow them to communicate effectively in the world. Likewise, they are encouraged to prepare themselves philosophically and practically to make linkages between the major and other academic disciplines.

Students majoring in modern foreign languages learn about the world of ideas and letters, past and present. This training requires study abroad in both languages, as well as comprehensive examinations in both languages. The cohesive, integrated program of foreign language, culture, and literature courses ensures maximum proficiency in the target languages.

Required Courses for Modern Foreign Languages Major with Adolescence Education

The Modern Foreign Languages core provides the foundation for all of our programs. Students take the courses listed below in both languages. Any of the courses listed below, except for the 400 Level Senior Seminars, may be taken abroad. Students may need to take 3 courses during the Summer.

First Language

Students enrolled in teacher certification programs must take a minimum of 30 advanced credits in the language in which they will receive initial certification.

First Language 201-202 Credits: 6
First Language 203-204 Credits: 6
First Language 300 Level Credits: 12
First Language 400 Level Senior Seminar Credits: 6
First Language Senior Comprehensive (DEPT 499) Credits: 0
First Language Study Abroad (LAN 300/301)

Second Language

A minimum of 24 advanced credits are required for the Second Language.

Second Language 201-202 Credits: 6
Second Language 203-204 Credits: 6
Second Language 300 or 400 Level* Credits: 12
Second Language Senior Comprehensive (DEPT 499) Credits: 0
Second Language Study Abroad (LAN 300/301)

*Department chairperson approval is required for 400 Level courses in the Second Language

Required Courses for Adolescence Education

See Education: Initial Teacher Certification in Adolescence Education for course requirements.

Modern Foreign Languages Senior Experience

The Senior Experience for the Modern Foreign Languages major culminates with two literature seminars (400 level) that encourage students to develop further scholarly and critical thinking, including current theoretical discussions in the academy.

The Comprehensive Examinations in both languages (written, oral) provide students with the threefold opportunity:

to ascertain that seniors have adequately mastered the language of their courses in their fields of study

to help seniors synthesize the matter of the four-year learning experience

to demonstrate a working knowledge of the cultures and literatures of the target languages

Sample Program for Modern Foreign Languages Major with Adolescence Education

Freshman Year

Math and Science Perspectives - Enduring Questions (P-EQ) Credits: 7
Major Language (201-202 Level) Credits: 6
Second Language (201-202 Level) Credits: 6
Health/Wellness Credits: 0

As well as:

SPF 204 - History and Philosophy of Education Credits: 3
ENGW 101 - Exposition Credits: 3
ENGW 102 - Argument and Research Credits: 3
ACS 101 - Academic and College Success Credits: 1
FYS course taken with ACS 101

Sophomore Year

Perspectives - Enduring Questions (P-EQ) Credits: 12
Integrative Studies (IS) Credits: 6
Major Language Credits: 3
Second Language Credits: 3
Major Language (300 level) Credits: 3
Second Language (300 level) Credits: 3

Full year abroad - Minimum one semester each country

Junior Year

Perspectives - Enduring Questions (P-EQ) Credits: 3
Integrative Studies (IS) Credits: 3
Core Milestone Experience (CME) Credits: 0
Major Language (204 level) Credits: 3
Second Language (204 level) Credits: 3
Major Language 457 Credits: 3 (Spring Only)
Major Language (300 level) Credits: 6

Senior Year

Major Language Student Teaching (479) Credits: 6 (Fall Only, Possible Experiential Learning Pathway)
Major Language (300 level) Credits: 3
Major Language (400 Level) Credits: 6
Second Language Electives (300-400 level) Credits: 6
Major Language Comprehensive Exam (499) Credits: 0
Second Language Comprehensive Exam (499) Credits: 0

As well as:

ADOL 476 - Motivation and Management Credits: 2
ADOL 477 - Literacy Instruction for Diverse Secondary Learners Credits: 3
ADOL 478 - Reflective Seminar Credits: 2
ADOL 480 - Adolescent Development and Youth Culture In School & Community Credits: 3