Secondary Education, M.A.T., Foreign Languages Concentration (Traditional Program)
This program is for those with a baccalaureate degree and undergraduate coursework in a foreign language who seek Illinois secondary education licensure. Graduates will be eligible for a Professional Educator License endorsed for secondary education/ Foreign Language (grades K to 12) with a designation in a specific language. Visit Licensure and Endorsement at NLU for more details.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
PLO1. Language Proficiency: Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational. Candidates in foreign language teacher preparation programs possess a high level of proficiency in the target languages they will teach. They are able to communicate effectively in interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational contexts. Candidates speak in the interpersonal mode at a minimum level of "Advanced Low" (French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish) or "Intermediate High" (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean) on the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI). They comprehend and interpret oral, printed, and video texts by identifying the main idea(s) and supporting details, inferring and interpreting the author's intent and cultural perspectives, and offering a personal interpretation of the text. Candidates present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers with language proficiency characteristic of a minimum level of "Advanced Low" or "Intermediate High" according to the target language, as described above.
PLO2. Cultures, Linguistics, Literatures, and Concepts from Other Disciplines. Candidates demonstrate understanding of the multiple content areas that comprise the field of foreign language studies. They demonstrate understanding of the interrelatedness of perspectives, products, and practices in the target cultures. Candidates know the linguistic elements of the target language system, and they recognize the changing nature of language. Candidates identify distinctive viewpoints in the literary texts, films, art works, and documents from a range of disciplines accessible to them only through the target language.
PLO3. Language Acquisition Theories and Knowledge of Students and Their Needs. Candidates demonstrate an understanding of the principles of language acquisition and use this knowledge to create linguistically and culturally rich learning environments. Candidates demonstrate an understanding of child and adolescent development, the context of instruction, and their students’ backgrounds, skills, and learning profiles in order to create a supportive learning environment that meets individual students’ needs.
PLO4. Integration of Standards in Planning and Instruction. Candidates in foreign language teacher preparation programs understand and use the national Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (2006) and their state standards to make instructional decisions. Candidates demonstrate an understanding of the standards and integrate them into their curricular planning. They design instructional practices and classroom experiences that address these standards. Candidates use the principles embedded in the standards to select and integrate authentic materials and technology, as well as to adapt and create materials, to support communication in their classrooms.
PLO5. Assessment of Languages and Cultures – Impact on Student Learning. Candidates in foreign language teacher preparation programs design ongoing assessments using a variety of assessment models to show evidence of P-12 students’ ability to communicate in the instructed language in interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational modes; and to express understanding of cultural and literary products, practices, and perspectives of the instructed language. Candidates reflect on results of assessments, adjust instruction, and communicate results to stakeholders.
PLO6. Professional Development, Advocacy, and Ethics. Candidates engage in ongoing professional development opportunities that strengthen their own linguistic, cultural, and pedagogical competence and promote reflection on practice. Candidates articulate the role and value of languages and cultures in preparing all students to interact successful in the global community of the 21st century. They understand the importance of collaboration to advocate for the learning of languages and cultures. Candidates understand and explain the opportunities and responsibilities inherent in being a professional language educator and are committed to equitable and ethical interactions with all stakeholders.
In addition to National College of Education Graduate Admissions Requirements applicants must:
- Choose a foreign language designation from one of the following: Chinese (Cantonese), Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Russian or Spanish
- Have a grade point average of 3.0 or better in foreign language designation coursework
- Have 32 semester hours of coursework in foreign language designation (12 semester hours of upper division courses must be completed with a grade of "B" or better)
- Pass the ACTFL foreign language oral proficiency exam (advanced-low)
In addition, the Foreign Language endorsement requires that candidates fulfill all of the following areas in the designated language:
- Pass the foreign language designation test
- Beginning Language I &II
- Intermediate Language I & II
- One course in each of the following areas:
- Grammar and Composition
- Introduction to Literature
- Introduction to History and Culture
Program Details:
- Requires 33 SH for completion
- Requires student teaching. Student teachers spend a minimum of 11 weeks in the classroom at an assigned school.
Required Courses
MAT Core - 2 SH
| EPS 511 | Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts | 2 |
Secondary Education – Foreign Language Requirements - 25 SH
| CIL 505 | Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language | 3 |
| RLR 540 | Teaching Content Area Literacy at the Middle and Secondary Level | 3 |
| SEC 502 | Introduction to Teaching at the Secondary Level | 3 |
| SEC 522 | Methods of Teaching Classical Languages (Latin) K-12 | 3 |
| or | |
| SEC 524 | Methods of Teaching World Languages K-12 | 3 |
| and | |
| SEC 590F | Student Teaching Seminar | 6 |
| SPE 500 | Introduction to and Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities | 3 |
Secondary Education Elective Options - 6 SH
Choose one pair of the courses below:
| CIL 500 | Foundations of ESL and Bilingual Education | 3 |
| and | |
| CIL 510 | Assessment of ESL and Bilingual Education Students | 3 |
| or | |
| MGE 501 | Introduction to Middle Grades Education: Young Adolescents in Context I | 2 TO 3 |
| and | |
| MGE 509 | Integrated Curriculum in the Middle Grades | 1 TO 3 |
| or | |
| MHE 509 | Topics in Calculus and Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| and | |
| MHE 512 | Topics and Applications of Statistics and Probability | 3 |
| or | |
| RLW 541 | Teaching Writing | 2 TO 3 |
| and | |
| RLL 520 | Survey of Youth Literature, PreK-12 | 3 |
| or | |
| RLR 502 | Teaching Comprehension and Content Area Reading | 3 |
| or | |
| SPE 501 | Educational and Diagnostic Assessment of Exceptional Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| and | |
| SPE 506 | Frameworks, Perspectives, and Collaboration in Special Education | 3 |
The following courses are required for licensure:
| EPS 511 | Human Learning and Development in Instructional Contexts | 2 |
| SEC 502 | Introduction to Teaching at the Secondary Level | 3 |
| SEC 522 | Methods of Teaching Classical Languages (Latin) K-12 | 3 |
| or | |
| SEC 524 | Methods of Teaching World Languages K-12 | 3 |
| SEC 590F | Student Teaching Seminar | 6 |
| SPE 500 | Introduction to and Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities | 3 |
Note: Candidates may become licensed prior to completion of the M.A.T. degree, and have six years from the beginning of coursework to complete the degree. Candidates are strongly advised to complete the degree.
Secondary Education Student Teaching Enrollment Requirements
Admission to and continuance in student teaching are contingent on the following actions.
Candidates must:
- Be accepted into the graduate program of National College of Education
- File, by the designated deadline, the application form for student teaching
- Submit to their advisor a report of a TB test taken within 90 days of the student teaching placement, results of criminal background check and acknowledgement of Mandated Reporter status form
- Turn in a signed log of all the pre-clinical hours specified in their pre-clinical hours required for the program
- Complete all of their licensure courses except for SEC 590F(Student Teaching)
- Pass all methods courses at National Louis University with a grade no lower than a B
- Participate in faculty assessment and receive approval of his or her portfolio (Livetext)
- Provide evidence of emotional stability, adequate personality adjustment and competency as indicated by licensure coursework and departmental assessments